Life, 1904-09-15 · page 20 of 20
Life — September 15, 1904 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not satire or a cartoon**—it's a straightforward insurance advertisement. The page features a testimonial from Eben Smith of Los Angeles, who deposited $663,023.28 with The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. The ad emphasizes that his policy provides lifetime income for himself, his two children, and six grandchildren, plus cash payments. Smith's quote endorses life insurance as superior to other investments, particularly noting that depreciation in other securities (likely referring to stock market losses during economic uncertainty) has convinced him of insurance's stability. The left side includes a coupon for readers to request rate information. The historical context: this appears to be from early 1920s *Life* magazine, when life insurance was marketed as a serious financial investment rather than mere death protection—a selling point during economically volatile times.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Everlnvested by One Manfor Life Insurance. ThelW Insurance Rate isthe same for large or small See Amounts. Ng The Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York New York City Gextirsten:—- What would it cost me to provide for myself or my beneficiary an_ income of My age is...... J : is the sum deposited by Mr. Eben Smith of Los Angeles, Cal., with The Mutual Life, which provides A Life Income for Himself and in the event of his death Life Incomes for His Two Children . Life Incomes for His Six Grandchildren in addition toAarge cash payments. Mpany or NCWY OTIC Richand| A. MEKundy, Pres, MR. SMITH WRITES: “It is my belief that life insurance is one of the best, if not the best, form of investment ever devised. The depreciation in other securities which I hold has strengthened my belief in. life insurance in a Company like THE MutTuat LiFe. I am glad to say that , this investment in THE MUTUAL LIFE is probably the best one that I ever made.” These policies are written in amounts ~ to sutt the needs of the insured. : comicbooks.com