Life, 1903-07-02 · page 30 of 32
Life — July 2, 1903 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire page**—it's a straightforward advertisement section from Life magazine showcasing Columbia automobiles made by the Electric Vehicle Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The page displays five different Columbia car models with prices ranging from $3,000 to $9,000, emphasizing both electric and gasoline options. The central text claims these vehicles are "unequalled for efficiency, durability, perfection of details, and elegance of finish." The historical context: This appears to be from the early 1900s when **electric vehicles competed seriously with gasoline cars**. The ad specifically juxtaposes electric and gasoline models, suggesting both technologies were viable alternatives. Electric cars were considered elegant, quiet, and reliable—particularly appealing to wealthy urban users in New York City. By modern standards, it's notable that electric vehicles were once a mainstream luxury option before gasoline engines ultimately dominated the market.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Columbia Merk XXXVI Rear-Driven Electric XXXV Extension-Front Coupe: Combines on a smaller scale the dis- node: ice for com- tinctive features of Brougham and Hansom. fort and convenience, and all improvements to Price $3000. date. Price $3500. me ELECTRIC AND ARE UNEQUALL Columbia 24 H. P. Gasojine Touring Car, Mark XLI Maximum of reliability and usefulness; minimum of vibration and noise. Vertical four d ine has new anaimportant fe: ing plugs and valves may-be removed and replaced in a few nts without use of a wrench or tools of any kind. Seats six persons, Lu s appointments throughout. Price $9 Orders for our larger styles of town carriages for private use—Extension- front and straight-front Broughams, Hansoms, Landaus, Coupes and Opera Busses—should be placed at once to secure early fall deliveries. Vew catalogue illustrating and describing 20 different Columbia models will be sent on request. ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY HARTFORD, CONN. NEW YORK SALESROOM: 134-136138 W. 39th ST. Opposite Metropolitan Opera House Boston, 74-76-78 Stanhope St. 0, 413 Michigan Ave. XXXV Electric Hansom: Columbia Mark XXXIX Victoria-Phaeton : From the latest designs approved by the most critical class of vehicle users in New York City. Price $3500. Price $3000. tin durable and elegant manner. New wheel steering and other im- provements. comicbooks.com