Life, 1904-10-27 · page 19 of 20
Life — October 27, 1904 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page centers on a **contest by Life magazine** inviting readers to title a Charles Dana Gibson drawing. The illustration depicts an idyllic Edwardian romantic scene: a woman and man in a boat on a river, with swans nearby—typical of Gibson's "Gibson Girl" aesthetic that defined early 1900s idealized femininity and courtship. **The Contest:** Life offers a $500 prize (substantial for 1904) plus a free artist's proof to whoever suggests "the most appropriate title." Entries required a $5 subscription fee. This was a common circulation-building strategy. **The Satire/Joke:** Gibson's drawing, though charming and romantic on its surface, apparently lacks an obvious title—suggesting the scene's very conventionality made it difficult to name. The contest itself pokes gentle fun at readers' creative pretensions. **Supporting Content:** The page is largely advertisements (whiskey, pills, cruise ships, furniture, medical sex-education books)—typical of Life's revenue model. The masthead identifies Gibson as Life's regular illustrator, cementing his celebrity status in early American popular culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Copyright. 1904, Live What Is a Good Title for This Gibson Drawing? The picture has no title. LIFE wants the best one that can be suggested. It is not a puzzle picture. The title may be a word, a line, a verse or a quotation, No suggestion for a title will be The person whosuggests | Mr. Charles Dana Gibson considered unless accompanied by the most appropriate draws regularly for LIFE, the | Five Dollars to pay for a year's subscription to LIFE. Subscrip-_ title will receive a satirical journal of the world. tons may begin at any time. The best ttle will be determined The “Chasis and) <sther Sitte bythe Editors of LIFE from titles numbers of LIFE are sent to sub- sbmitted in the competition. Write seribers without additional charge. your title on an envelope, with your Send ten cents now for the copy tame and address inside. Enclose of LIFE which will contain the both with your remittance for sub- stiobon:, Suggéstiois must reach announcement of the result of this LIFE before February 1, 1905. contest. Your name and address The result will be announced in will be put on file and the copy UFE for February 23, 1905. i i mailed to you as soon as issued. leading illustrated, humorous and In addition to the opportunity to gain the $500 prize, EVERY COMPETITOR WILL RECEIVE, FREE OF CHARGE, agartist’s proof of the picture, hand-printed on 17 x21 India paper, plate-marked ready for framing. LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY 17 West Thirty-First Street New York City ristcally printed catalogues containing 15 miniature reproductions of printe and proofs by Gibson, Gilbert, Clay, Harrison, Fisher, Crosby and others, published by LIFE, will be sent to any address on receipt of ten cents, A me which will be of service in the selection of hollday gifts ) Send for this GOUT & RHEUMATISM ards, circulars, &c. par own. carta, chr aes ae Ustte Great English Remedy fone Er ee oe BLAIR’S PILLSKR Pe. Tyrese tor WW Hele aman alae alg, ee ee re Eflective. 500. & $1. BSG ELUTINA OND & LILLARD Te Standard Velvet WHISKEY Look for Name VLUTINA on Sehiage IS THE BEST 18 Different Cruises and Special Services 8 8 Moree je DAYS, ORIESTAL CREINE. trom New York, January 30, 1906. Cost $300 upward. 8. 8, Pumzpeany Vicronis Crise CuUISeS TO THE WEST SBI, eo to the Med- Merranan, duricg dan eu larch, Apri Cost $123 upward. 7? UAT 2 FAST TRIPS From New York Mere SQlOHT ASD INEXPENSIVE CRCISRS tn the Med- iterranean ard the Adriatic Sean starting from Genoa and Venice.” Cost §70 up. Fxeellent connections Atlantic wervice. Railings every Saturday. $40 #3 round tri including stateroom 33 Daye Crane, S125 per Adatt Send for Tonatreed Boot pefore deciding Winter plane AMERICAN LINE, 37 Hroadway, New York 2 Chleago Reston SL Laas igencies im AU Principal Cities dre taformaltion te these books insure marital happiness and save mankind untold suffering. The Sex Series pe solr Courter Senirs of by y person aa: ven which shoeld not he hidden by fale or foolish ax ty. Commended by mevical authorkes everywhere. Four books toboysand men. Noa ous re sites women, ae Th 2 o Wome of Forty-ave” $1 w copy each, post free, Table of contents free. ‘Vir Pablishing Oo 2209 Land Title Bldg Phila Pa . DESK CO.| RETAILERS OF DESKS Office Furniture AT EXPORT PRICES 15 STONE ST NEXT PRODUCE EXCHANGE comicbooks.com