Life, 1909-12-02 · page 49 of 80
Life — December 2, 1909 — page 49: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **piano advertisement**, not a political cartoon. The page shows a woodcut-style illustration of a grand piano in an elegant parlor setting, with a woman at the keyboard and classical architectural details visible through windows. The ad copy emphasizes Chickering & Sons' reputation as "the oldest American piano" with superior "beauty of tone and durability." Two models are priced: the Upright Style H at $550 and Quarter grands Style W at $700—substantial sums in this era, suggesting this targets affluent households. The only "satire" present is mild: the title "Chickering" appears in ornate Victorian lettering, and the ad plays on the aspirational associations pianos held in upper-class American culture—they were status symbols denoting refinement and musical education. This represents straightforward early-20th-century magazine advertising, not editorial commentary or humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A household word wherever pianos are known. Associations and fra grant memories cluster about it. The oldest American piano and of greater reputation for excellence than any other, and their reputation one that is justified by their great beauty of tone and durability. Upright Style H, $550 Quarter grands Style W for $700 Chickering Pianos may be bought of any regular Chickering representative at Boston prices with added cost of freight and delivery. Our literature will be sent upon request, Made Solely by CHICKERING & SONS 721 Tremont Street, Cor. Northampton Established 1823 Boston, Mass. comicbooks.com