Life, 1909-02-18 · page 31 of 32
Life — February 18, 1909 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a promotional page announcing upcoming themed issues of *Life* magazine, a satirical publication. The page advertises seven special numbers from March through April, each with different covers by named artists. The satire targets contemporary social interests: real estate speculation ("good from the ground up"), fashion and clothing culture, Irish-American identity (St. Patrick's Day), the women's suffrage movement (treated with mock solemnity), Easter sentimentality, and women's contributions to literature (featuring prominent female writers like Ella Wheeler Wilcox and Gertrude Atherton). The "Health Number" satirizes the era's obsession with health fads and "New Thought" wellness trends by promising laughter as medicine. The humor lies in *Life*'s self-aware mockery of these fashionable preoccupations and the magazine's own commercial appeals to diverse readerships. This reflects early 20th-century American consumer culture and emerging social movements.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Coming! Look out for the Special Numbers of Life ! You'll be sorry if you don't, March 4. Real Estate Number (Cover by Squires) There is more fun in real estate than you have any idea of. This number will be autochthonous*—and it's good from the ground up. March rr. Fashion Number (Cover by Phillips) Have you a wife, sister or sweetheart? Better still, are you a dear delightful woman yourself? To anyone who wears clothes—superfluous clothes—this number will be a teal event. March 18. St. Patrick's (Cover by Flagg) Ireland is pictured in the brightest colors. ‘This is the midmonth number, and will mark a green spot in your memory. March 25. Woman's Rights (Cover by Crosby) 5 9 Everyone knows that the woman suffrage question in this country is assuming larger proportions all the time. From a cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, it is enveloping the land. LIFE treats this subject with the solemnity it deserves—impartially, fairly —with malice toward none and love for all. April 7, Easter (Cover by Lowell) “ Bright with promise ''—which shall all be fulfilled. LIFE’S ter number in past years has always been a ‘thing of beauty and a joy fore This year it will surpass the most ardent anticipations. April 22. Woman's Number (Cover by Clay) A new idea, All the men will have to stand aside in this number. None but women allowed to contribute. Ella Wheeler Wilcox has something to say, also Gertrude Atherton, Mrs. Wilson Woodrow, Hildergarde Hawthorne, Agnes Repplier, Mrs. Thompson Seton—Oh, we couldn't give them all—it would take up too much space. If you want to know how many really clever women there are in this country, don't fail to order this number in advance. April 29. Health Number (Cover by Kilvert) pri 29 Are you depressed? Have you tried all the health resorts? Are you a devotee of the New Thought? What is your latest digestive fad? Assuming that you are still ahve, and wish to recover, get this number of LIFE and laugh it all off. It will cure you of anything you've got. (Order of issue subject to change.) NOTE, that These are only a few of the special numbers coming. * Look up this word in the dictionary, comicbooks.com