Life — May 14, 1903 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the cover of Life magazine's issue #1072. The main illustration depicts two well-dressed women in Edwardian-era clothing with the caption "THE RETORT COURTEOUS: 'MAY I WALK WITH YOU, MISS ___?' 'CERTAINLY, IF YOU'RE TIMID!'" The humor appears to satirize social courtship conventions of the era. The woman's retort—suggesting the man needs to be "timid" to accompany her—mocks overly formal, cautious male behavior in romantic contexts, implying such timidity is necessary for her to accept his company. The decorative left border contains zodiac or astrological symbols, while ornamental header elements frame the "LIFE" masthead. A stamp indicates this was property of "The Middletown Club" and marked "not to be mutilated."