Life, 1904-03-31 · page 17 of 20
Life — March 31, 1904 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a British figure (Jonathan, representing Britain) standing on one shore observing what appears to be a sea serpent in the water—actually the arm of another figure reaching across the Atlantic Ocean. This is political satire about Anglo-American relations, likely referencing diplomatic or military cooperation between Britain and the United States during World War I (the magazine dates to this era based on the "Patronize American Industries" messaging). The joke plays on the phrase "hand across the ocean"—a contemporary expression for Anglo-American alliance—by literally visualizing it as something monstrous or bizarre emerging from the sea. The British observer's confused reaction ("What sort of sea-serpent is that?") mocks either the unusual nature of the alliance or anxieties about American involvement. The page is otherwise filled with period advertisements (cigarettes, hats, gloves, hair dye, cigars) typical of *Life* magazine's commercial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
EGYPTIAN DEITIES No Better Turkish Cigarette can be made CORK TIPS Look for Signature OR PLAIN o& S. ANARGYROS THE HAND ACROSS THE OCEAN. Jonathan ; GREAT MONROR! WOAT SORT OP SEA-SERPENT 18 THAT?—From Picture Politics, London. GUARANTEED srorn waren em (SrrncT peranoes LUSTRE Patronize American industries. Wear a KNOX HAT the creation par excellence of the nation. coin all the | enol) Constable RE. Gloves. Correct Gloves for Men and Women. Representative leathers in shades and stitchings of the most approved types. roadway AL 19t6 at. NEW YORK “at the SIGN of the BULL DOG” Wo mako Pure Habana Segars In tho honest old fashion, Sold by Independont eit] Doalors. BARON DEKALB = HENRY IRVING For 50c. we will send you a handsome picture cf KING LUD, champion Bull Dog of the world, framed in weathered oak kennel. J°hn W. Merriam & Co. The Roycroft Segar Shop, which is “At the Sign of the Bull Dog” 139 Maiden Lane, New York comicbooks.com