Life, 1903-02-05 · page 2 of 24
Life — February 5, 1903 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not a satirical cartoon. It features Columbia Automobiles, promoting their 1903 vehicle lineup to "people of discriminating judgment and refined taste." The top image shows well-dressed women in elaborate fur coats and formal attire arriving at what appears to be a social event or theater. This depicts the **target market**: wealthy, fashionable urbanites. The decorative vignettes along the left side show similarly affluent women in leisurewear. The advertisement emphasizes reliability, style, and elegance. Columbia offered both gasoline-powered touring cars and electric vehicles—notably including models designed for women (the "Inside-operated Coupe" required no separate controls, suggesting women drivers' needs). Electric vehicles were popular luxury items for wealthy urban women during this era. This reflects early 1900s class aspirations and emerging women's mobility, presented without satirical intent.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
COPYRIGHT FOR GREAT BRITAIN OY UNOER THE ACT OF AUTOMOBILES are used by people of discriminating judgment and refined taste, because their reliability has been proved by seven years of successful service, while in style, finish and elegance of equipment, they are superior to all other vehicles. The COLUMBIA line for 1903 includes our new Columbia Gasolene Touring Car. Four cylinders, 20 H P. nominal. (Actual Brake H. P. 26.) Most efficient and handsomest American-made car. Columbia Electric Light Runabout. Underslung battery, leaving body entirely open Columbia Electric Rear-driven Coupe. Combining distinctive features of both the Brougham and Hansom types. Columbia Electric Inside-operated Coupe. Dispensing with necessity for separate driver. Especially desirable for physicians Columbia Electric Special Service Wagon. For inspectors, superintendents, fire and police chiefs, and others requiring high-powered clectric automobiles adapted to hard service. Electric Delivery Wagons and Trucks. Entirely new models, containing many exclusive features. Columbia Electric “Seabright” Runabouts, Victorias, Surreys, Tonneaus, Cabriolets, Opera ‘Buses, and Broughams, which were unqualifiedly success- ful during 1902, are perpetuated with various improvements. + Catalogue will be sent on request, also Special Bulletins cover- SS" ihe complete detailed information for each vehicle separately, “< ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY HARTFORD, CONN. NEW YORK SALESROOM: 134-136-138 West 39th Street BOSTON: 43-45 Columbus Avenue CHICAGO: 1421 Michigan Avenue comicbooks.com