Life, 1905-05-25 · page 26 of 26
Life — May 25, 1905 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **automobile advertisement page**, not a political cartoon. It contains three separate car ads from the early motorcar era: 1. **Columbia Automobiles** (top left) - promoting gasoline and electric vehicles through detailed catalogs 2. **Fiat** (top right) - advertising the 1905 "Indestructible" model as imported by Hollander & Tangeman 3. **American Mercedes** (bottom, largest) - the main advertisement, explicitly positioning itself as a domestically-built copy of the famous European Mercedes to save American buyers import duties The Mercedes ad's claim that it's an "exact copy—part for part" to avoid tariffs reflects the economic protectionism of the era. The ornate eagle emblems and formal styling reflect the prestige associated with European luxury automobiles. This page reflects early-1900s American automotive competition and the nascent domestic auto industry's struggle against established European manufacturers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
entire field of Motor Car service, are described in detail in three catalogues devoted respectively to Columbia 18 H. P. and 35-40 H. P. Gasolene Cars, Columbia Electric Carriages and Columbia Electric Delivery Wagons and Trucks. These are not only the handsomest, but the most explicit and care- fully arranged Automobile Catalogues ever printed, and each will repay the careful study of every present or prospective owner of a vehicle in the class it covers. Sent free on request. When writing, please state which Catalogue is desired. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CO., SARTFOR?: Pe, ee, wn The Indestructible 1905 “FIAT.” I HOLLANDER & TANGEMAN, °*‘Snetysouncttees Sole American Agents. Licensed Importers under Selden Patent. Yeates AUTOMOBILES, covering the Member Association Licensed Automobile Manufacturers. Is an exact copy—part for part—of the great car of international reputation, and is built here to save American buyers the heavy import duties. The American MERCEDES is the car for speed, power and noiseless running. It is the acme of, reliability. One size, 40-45 H. P. One-horse power for every 50 lbs. of weight. One price, $7.500. Our booklet explains all. DAIMLER MEG. CO., - - - = 953 Steinway Ave., Long Island City New York City Garago, 10 WEST 60th STREET Cy, comicbooks.com