Albert Bailey’s advert perfectly captures the aspirational use of the sporting firearm. As much a fashion plate as an advertisement, it is unfortunate that to the modern eye a dangling cigarette no longer conveys the sophistication it once did.
Enjoying a weekend in the country, the bright young couple are definitely “the right people”. Perched atop her shooting stick, cloche hat pulled low, liberation may extend to smoking, but apparently not to shooting. Perhaps next visit she’ll bring more practical shoes? Her male companion in overcoat and trilby, gun at the ready could equally well be patrolling pulp fiction’s mean streets. Meanwhile, the help stands deferentially in the background. All this could be yours simply by purchasing the right cigarette!