Life, 1909-05-20 · page 23 of 36
Life — May 20, 1909 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily advertising**, not satire or political commentary. It contains four product advertisements targeting early motorists and gentlemen: 1. **Stepney Spare Wheel** — promotes a quick-change spare tire system for automobiles, emphasizing speed ("on and gone in less than a minute") 2. **Barrett Jack** — advertises a car jack, using competitive messaging that cheaper alternatives are unreliable; includes a slogan implying Barrett is the only trustworthy option 3. **J. & F. Martell Cognac** — sells brandy (founded 1715), marketed as "genuine old" spirits 4. **Brooks Brothers** — clothing retailer offering gentlemen's ready-made and custom garments, hats, and travel kits The page reflects early automotive culture (when spare wheels and jacks were novelties requiring advertising) and targets affluent male consumers through traditional product endorsements. There is **no cartoon satire or political commentary** visible—it's a straightforward commercial page from what appears to be a Life magazine issue from approximately 1910-1920.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ELIMINATE YOUR joie TROUBLES A “Stepney” Spare Wheel NO WORRY library. NO DELAY here?” —— erfully. “ON AND GONE IN LESS THAN A MINUTE.” Your Equipment is incomplete without a ‘‘ Stepney.” WRITE TO-DAY FOR COMPLETE CATALOG. The Spare Motor Wheel of America 236 Michigan ees Chicago, Ill. If you draw a cheaper jack with your car you will eventually have to aiscard it. Insist upon a genuine Barrett in the first place. If your dealer does not supply it —we will. Write for catalog. THE DUFF MFG. CO. PITTSBURGH, PA. New York, $0 Church St. London, 118 Holborn Paris, 4 Rue Auber “Df it isn't the Jack that Duff built it isn't a Barrett.” J. & F. MARTELL Cognac (Pounded 1715) FINE OLD LIQUEUR BRANDIES F @ 4 _ Ks GENUINE OLD BRANDIES MADE FROM WINE Sole Agents G.S. NICHOLAS 6CO. New York ‘tenuate 6 eh Ben, C(@CLOTHINGS Goutlemene Purnishing ds. Clothing and Furnishing Goods Ready-made and to Measure. Hats, Shoes, Sporting and Travel- ing Kits, Send for Illustrated Catalogue. BROADWAY Cor. TWENTY SECOND ST., NEW YORK Ccomicbooks.com , |