Life, 1898-04-02 · page 31 of 32
Life — April 2, 1898 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate advertisements rather than political cartoons: 1. **Waltham Watches**: Uses a quote attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds (18th-century painter) about mixing colors "with brains" as a metaphor for watchmaking quality. The ad argues that superior design and engineering—not just expensive materials—make fine watches. 2. **Columbia Bicycles**: Markets a chainless bicycle model as practical for women, specifically highlighting that spring showers pose "no terrors" because there's no chain or guards to catch skirts. This addresses a real concern for women cyclists of the era, whose long skirts could snag on bicycle chains. 3. **Lehigh Valley Railroad**: Advertises scenic train travel to Niagara Falls, promoting luxury "solid vestibule trains" with dining cars between New York and Chicago. All three ads reflect early 1900s consumer culture and gender-specific marketing—particularly the bicycle ad's acknowledgment of women as customers with distinctive practical needs.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, when asked by an ambitious young painter with what he mixed his colors, replied, «* With Brains, Sir.’ So in watch- making: it is not alone the value of the jewels that makes a first- class watch—it is the brains that have planned its construc- tion. Mechanical skill and knowledge have made Waltham Watches the best in the world. For sale by all jewelers. Spring Showers have no terrors for the nder of a Bevel-Gear Chainless Bicycle No Chain or Guards to Catch the Skirts. Price $125. fed A TALOGUE FREE FROM AMY COLUMBIA DEALER 0% me 2 CE S BY MAIL FOR OME 2 CENT STAND. ) WAND NIAGARA FALLS. A LATCARTE. FOR ILLUSTRATE! ‘ P 5 3 GENL PASS. AGENT. ENCLOSE ICENTSUINISTAMP CHAS. S3LEE cet « piicavevenia. pa.