Life, 1899-12-02 · page 33 of 44
Life — December 2, 1899 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **subscription advertisement**, not a political cartoon. The page promotes Life magazine's New Year 1900 offer to new subscribers. The illustration labeled "Wireless Telegraphy" appears to show a social scene—likely a Victorian-era gathering where figures interact around a table. The caption's reference to "wireless" is somewhat unclear without additional context, but may be a period joke about social communication or modern technology. The main content is a promotional offer: for $5.00, new subscribers receive a year's subscription to Life, holiday issues, an artist's proof (by Gibson or other illustrators), plus one book. Gibson was Life's famous illustrator known for satirical social commentary. The page reflects **turn-of-the-century publishing culture**—offering bound proofs and books as incentives, reflecting when such items held significant value for middle-class consumers. The "10 cents" catalogue offer shows how publishers used promotional materials to drive subscriptions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE’S LATEST AND BEST OFFER $8.50 Value for $5.00 net. This isa sample fl in miniature of onc of Mr. Gibson's N proofs. Under this offer you are en- titled to select from 5] Our catalogue of Igo subjects. a proof, 15x20, with mat, ready for «| framing. Copyright, 1952, by Lye Publishing Oo WIRELESS TELEGRASHY. NEW SUBSCRIBERS WHO SEND $5.00 WILL RECEIVE LIFE for the Year 1900 . 2... . eos wa te @ $5.00 LIFE’S Easter and Christmas numbers for 1900 ... 50 An Artist’s Proof, size 15x20, on Japan paper, mounted ready for framing. 2 2 6 6 6 ee ew we ee ee ee 2,00 And in addition your choice of any one of the following publications, the retail price of which is. . . . . « « 4.00 | THE OUT-OF-DOOR CALENDAR FOR 1900, by Blashfield, or PREDICAMENTS, by Shipman, a Book of Short Stories, or $8.50 MYTHOLOGY FOR MODERNS, by Metcalfe, or THE YANKEE WAVY. by Masson, or TAKEN FROW «*LIFE,"’ a Book of Verses. ALL RICHLY ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF 150 EXAMPLES OF PROOFS, LIKE SAMPLE ABOVE, BY GIBSON, HANNA, GILBERT AND OTHERS, FOR SELECTION, SENT ON RECEIPT OF 10 CENTS. LI FE PUBLISH I NG COo., 19 W. 31st Street, NEW YORK,