Life, 1907-05-30 · page 20 of 20
Life — May 30, 1907 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily **advertising content**, not satire or political commentary. The page features two decorative Vienna Art Plates (metal reproductions of portraits with ornate borders) and promotes Anheuser-Busch's Malt-Nutrine product. **The plates themselves** are presented as fine art—No. 1 based on work by "Herr Wagner, the eminent German artist" and No. 2 after French artist P. Rall. Both show classical portrait busts in elaborate decorative frames. **The promotion mechanism** is a common early 20th-century marketing tactic: consumers could collect 12 bottle caps from Malt-Nutrine bottles plus 15 cents postage to obtain one of these decorative plates—a form of premium incentive. **The product pitch** frames Malt-Nutrine as a digestive tonic for nursing mothers and convalescents, claiming it promotes appetite and aids digestion. This reflects contemporary patent-medicine marketing, though Anheuser-Busch's actual product was a malt extract (non-alcoholic or low-alcohol). No political or social satire is evident—it's straightforward commercial advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
May 30, 1907 Vienna Art Plates No. 1. Original was painted by Herr Wagner, the eminent German artist. The reproduction (on metal) brings out perfectly the rich coloring of por- trait and decorative border, equaling the original. No. 2. An exact reproduction in original colors No.1 Viexwa Ant Prare (on metal) of the work of P. Rall, a French artist of note, whose fine skill in portraiture and exceptional decorative ability are evidenced in every line. See below how to secure these plates. ANHEUSER-BUS Cy, ahh Nutune How to Secure a Plate Malt-Nutrine is put up in cases of one dozen bottles and is sold by druggists and grocers. To secure one of the plates send 12 Tops of Red Metal Caps from Malt-Nutrine bottles, also Isc in stamps or money to cover post- age. Designate the plate you want by stating No. 1 or No. 2. Malt-Nutrine Department 60 Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association St. Louis, U.S. A. MALT-NUTRINE is a predigested liquid-food— easily assim- ilated by the weakest and most delicate stomach. It promotes appetite, aids. digestion and assures healthful and refreshing sleep. The ideal tonic for nursing mothers and convalescents. PRESS OF REOFIELO BROTHERS. NEW YORK comicbooks.com