Life, 1905-03-02 · page 44 of 44
Life — March 2, 1905 — page 44: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a straightforward advertisement for the Decauville automobile, published in *Life* magazine on March 2, 1905. There is no cartoon or satire present—it's a commercial pitch for French-manufactured cars sold in America by the Standard Automobile Company of New York. The ad emphasizes the Decauville's 365-day guarantee, multiple horsepower options (12-16 through 45-60 H.P.), and technical innovations like a "steel pan" and "double system of ignition." It appeals to buyers by invoking the manufacturer's forty years of French engineering expertise. The seal in the lower right reinforces the guarantee promise. The ad's tone is persuasive rather than humorous—it simply encourages readers to investigate before buying elsewhere and request a catalog.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
March 2, 1905, 24-28 H. P. Side-Entrance, Double-Phaeton, Solid Back, with canopy—one of many types. If there is anything reassuring in an unlimited guarantee for 365 days, you should naturally be more interested in “ That Decauville Car” than any other. The 1905 models, including 12-16, 16-20, 24-28, 30-35, and 45-60 H. P. cars, with “that steel pan” and our double system of ignition, constitute the highest development ever reached in automobile construction. There is absolutely nothing lacking in refinement of detail, strength and simplicity of construction to make “ That Decauville Car” the flawless machine it is. The celebrated Société Decauville of France with its forty years’ experience in motor building stands back of that guarantee; don’t forget it. Seriously, now, you will be doing the sensible thing to investigate “That Decauville Car” before purchasing elsewhere. Send for beautifully illustrated catalogue. Pas vc Gry ee ote Gurr ‘ Standard Automobile Company, ot New York, ee. Sole American Agent S Heeauville cars % Licensed Importer under Selden Patent Salesroom: 136 West 38th Street Garage: 1684 Broadway Patented Now. 5, "053 June 23, '033 May 12,03 PRESS OF THE J. W. PRATT CO., NEW YORK, comicbooks.com