Life, 1905-10-12 · page 21 of 26
Life — October 12, 1905 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is not a cartoon or satire—it's a **straightforward advertisement** for Bock's "Independence" cigars, appearing in *Life* magazine. The ad promotes imported Havana cigars at 3 for 50 cents, emphasizing superior size and quality compared to competitors' "three for a half" offerings. It references the success of Bock's earlier "Reciprocity" brand (2 for 25 cents), which the ad claims is "the best known imported cigar in America." The naming—"Reciprocity" and "Independence"—likely plays on trade policy language familiar to early 20th-century American readers, though the ad makes no explicit political argument. It simply uses patriotic-sounding brand names to market a luxury import product. The "actual size" illustration shows the cigar's dimensions to demonstrate value. This is commercial advertising, not editorial content or satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bock’s “Independence” 3 for 50. cents This is an entirely new proposition in Imported Havana Cigars —bigger and better value than has ever been given in Havana Cigars AT THE PRICE. ACTUAL SIZE Compare it with any other imported cigar that you can buy at “three for a half ’’—for size, full weight and quality. There has never been anything like it. It is unique for value among cigars IMPORTED FROM HAVANA The great success of Bock’s “Reciprocity,” 2 for 25 cents, which is to-day the best known imported cigar in America selling at a popular price, has led to this new and larger cigar, Bock’s “Independence” 3 for 50 cents Ask your own dealer for this new “INDEPENDENCE” cigar— he will have it or can get it for you very soon, as it will be FOR SALE EVERYWHERE IN THE U. S. comicbooks.com