Life, 1903-05-07 · page 23 of 36
Life — May 7, 1903 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily advertising** rather than political satire. It features three competing automobile manufacturers from the early 1900s: Oldsmobile ($650), Darracq ($2,500), and Packard ($2,500). The humor is commercial rather than political. Each ad uses nationalist appeals: Oldsmobile claims "All Nations Use" it, Darracq advertises as "The Favorite of Two Continents" (Europe and America), and Packard boasts of First-Class certificates won by private owners—suggesting reliability and luxury. The winged cherub figure at the center appears purely decorative, typical Art Nouveau styling of the era. These ads reflect the early automobile industry's competitive positioning: Oldsmobile marketed affordability and simplicity, while Darracq and Packard competed in the luxury market, emphasizing performance and prestige. The page reveals how automobiles were still novelties being justified to skeptical consumers through claims of international success and technical superiority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Oldsmobile er sets on this world standard Runabout— ‘Its strong, simple and practical const known Automobile among all civilized nations 1 Its working mechanism is so fre y - Justa ture of the handle and the Oldsmobile“ goe “Nothing to watch * Price $650.00 bile is the highest yra Olds Motor Works, Detroit, Mich. Srronc, SPEEDY, Smootu Runninc— A TRINITY OF PACKARD PERFECTIONS THAT HAVE PUT IT First iy THE List oF Mopern Motor Cars. Write for “The Red Book.” Seats 5 People Packard-Motor Car Co. DARRACQ®Q The Favorite of Two Continents Easy to operate, demonstrated hill-climb 8, 9, 10, 12, 20 h. p., also DELI TWELVE H. P. KING OF THE BELGIANS TONNEAU, enty-five per cent. of all antomo- nd sold by us in ‘oltnis Coutry tant sear were. DARRACQS fhe Enited” stem The entire production of the Darrucq Factory in France for 1903 have been con- tracted for, Order now. AMERICAN DARRACQ AUTOMOBILE COMPANY Controlled by ¥. A. LA ROCHE COMPANY Sole Importers and Distributors sor United States 652-664 Hudson St. and 147 W. 38th St., New York City Branches: Chicago: 602 Wabash Ave, Philadelphia : 262 No, Broad St. Pittsbargh : 3904 Forbes St, The Packard Record— Out or 13 First- Crass CERTIFICATES won BY PACKARD Cars,— STAND TO THE REDIT OF PRIVATE Owners. “Ask theman who owns one.” Price, $2,500 Warren, Ohio comicbooks.com