Life, 1905-12-07 · page 60 of 60
Life — December 7, 1905 — page 60: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Kodak advertisement**, not a political cartoon. Artist Alonzo Kimball drew this scene depicting an idealized early-20th-century Christmas celebration with a decorated tree, well-dressed family members (adults and children), and a festive house party setting. The ad's message is straightforward commercial persuasion: Kodak cameras help preserve Christmas memories through photography. The tagline "If it isn't an Eastman, it isn't a Kodak" (visible at top) emphasizes brand dominance. There is **no satire or political commentary**—this is aspirational lifestyle advertising targeting middle-class families, promoting photography as essential to commemorating holidays. The imagery reflects period standards of domestic leisure and family togetherness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn for Eastman Kodak Co. by Alonzo Kimball on the tree; then Kodak pictures of the tree; pictures of the baby, of grandmother, of the Christmas house party—all help to keep green the Christmas memories. EASTMAN KODAK CO. by mal Rochester, N. Y., The Kodak City PRESS OF THE J. Ww. PRATT CO., NEW YORK. comicbooks.com