Life, 1905-09-14 · page 19 of 24
Life — September 14, 1905 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertising page**, not satirical content. It features four luxury product advertisements: 1. **1905 American Mercedes**: Promotes an authorized American-made copy of a German Mercedes automobile, emphasizing that components are either imported directly or made from imported German stock—a selling point suggesting superior quality. 2. **Booth's Dry Gin**: Markets a London gin founded in 1750, claiming it commands "the highest price in London" and is "the Best Dry Gin in the world." 3. **J. & F. Martell Cognac**: Advertises French cognac and brandies (founded 1715), distributed through G.S. Nicholas in New York. 4. **Life Publishing Company**: A small ad for a photogravure reproduction. The page reflects **early 20th-century American consumer culture**, where European imports and European-made goods commanded premium prices and prestige. There is no apparent satire—these are straightforward luxury advertisements. The repeated mention of "G.S. Nicholas, Sole Agent" suggests he was a major importer of fine European goods to New York.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Te 1905 | American Mercedes is the authorized American copy of the 40-45 H. P. Mercedes. Not only are the dimensions identical— German s} even to the use of the metric system—but the axles, gears, springs, ball bearings and many other parts are imported direct or made from imported Mercedes stock, the fing. ma: strength of which surpasses anything yet produced on this side of the water. Paris Price f New York Price j “We Pay the Duty * $7,500. Our Booklet tells the rest DAIMLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY 953 STEINWAY AVENUE, LONG ISLAND CITY,N.Y. NEW YORK CITY GARAGE, 10 WEST 60TH STREET Commands the Distilled by 1 Booth&Co. London highest price in London and is |i recognized as the | Best Dry Gin in | the world. Founded 1750 G. S. NICHOLAS, SOLE AGENT :: NEW YORK LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY 17 West 3ist Street New York (Founded 1715) KKK AND GENUINE OLD BRANDIES MADE FROM WINE Sole Agent G. S. NICHOLAS Mew York comicbooks.com