The Pop History Dig:  Babe Ruth and Tobacco, 1920’s-1940’s

In [one ad for White Owl cigars], both Ruth and his wife Claire provide their separate endorsements, each shown in smaller artist sketches flanking the main photo.  They are set out in respective sidebar boxes, delivering a short message – one targeted to women from Claire, and another from Babe.  First, in the left hand box, “Claire says”:

“…We’ve often been painted out as happily married.  We are, too.  I guess it’s because we get so much fun out of doing things together…discovering so many things… like how much mildness means in a cigar.  Babe says mildness comes first – and I say that from my woman’s point of view it’s both first and last.  I’m all for those cigars of his because they’re kind to kisses.”

Then, comes the “Babe” making his endorsement:

“…We’ve had lots of fun together.  Claire knows how much I like a really mild cigar – but I’ve never told her that in addition to being mild, they’re the one cigar I can count on always tasting good too!  It always has the same grand aroma, fine flavor, and Vintage mildness.  No matter when or where I buy them, they’re always a swell smoke!”

Too bad they left out his famous endorsements of Feen-A-Mint laxative gum and Remington Rifle ammo among the many other products of Ruth’s they mention, but you can’t have everything.