Life — December 9, 1909 — page 21: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a full-page advertisement for the Locomobile Company of America, not political satire. The image shows a "30" model automobile parked before an elegant mansion with grand steps, driven by well-dressed passengers. The advertisement emphasizes luxury and status—the car is presented as an upper-class vehicle suitable for the wealthy. Text lists the company's offices in major cities: New York, Bridgeport Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Chicago. The decorative badges reference "Shaft Drive" and "Best Built Car in America," highlighting mechanical features meant to appeal to affluent buyers. This appears from a period when automobiles were luxury goods, and advertising focused on elegance and exclusivity rather than mass-market appeal.