Black Cats in Advertising

Images of black cats have been used to sell cigarettes, batteries, condoms, candles, fireworks, hosiery and other mundane items. But if black cats are unlucky, why are they used to advertise products? The answer may lie in the historical associations between black cats and mystery, the occult and evil. In some cases, the connection is overt - e.g. Lanvin’s ad for “My Sin” perfume or the tagline for Black Cat condoms (…to satisfy the exotic, to capture the mystique and intrigue of the night.”) But in others, it is more attenuated (e.g. Black Cat hosiery and cigarettes.)