USA: Advertisement for 'Omar' brand Turkish cigarettes featuring a Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Orientalist theme, American Tobacco Company, New York, c. 1915

In the early 1900s, manufacturers of Turkish and Egyptian cigarettes tripled their sales and became legitimate competitors to leading brands. In 1911, The American Tobacco Company introduced Omar, a premium Turkish blend cigarette, in order to compete with other leading Turkish brands like Murad.

The cigarette was named after the medieval Persian poet Omar Khayyam, who experienced a resurgence of popularity from 1900-1930. Advertisements for Omar cigarettes referenced Khayyam's famous poem, The Rubaiyat , and focused on themes of pleasure, leisure, and luxury.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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