Life, 1910-07-07 · page 47 of 48
Life — July 7, 1910 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily **automobile advertising**, not political satire or a cartoon. It's a full-page ad for the F.B. Stearns Company (Cleveland, Ohio) promoting their automobiles. The page features a photograph of a Stearns car filled with well-dressed passengers, emphasizing the vehicle's luxury and capacity. The advertising copy highlights two selling points: "Sturdiness and Power." The text supports these claims through specific anecdotes: a Chicago driver's 18-day trip to San Francisco, a couple's journey through Louisiana swamps, and a climb up Pike's Peak with seven passengers—feats the ad claims no competitor had accomplished. The message targets affluent buyers, positioning Stearns ownership as conferring social status and respect on the road ("always admired, always respected"). Two models are advertised with prices ($4,600 and $3,200), both substantial sums for the era. This reflects early-20th-century automotive marketing strategy: reliability, luxury, and social prestige.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
i Sturdiness and Power are Distinct Stearns Characteristics The Stearns is a wonderfully sturdy, durable car, built to give perfect service for years. This sturdiness, combined with the great reserve power of the Stearns motor, has won for the car its reputation as a practical, durable machine, placing it far in advance of the average high grade car. It was this sturdiness and reserve power that enabled Mr. Geo. C. Rew of Chicago to drive from that city to San Francisco ina trifle over eighteen days, without traveling at night. It was sturdiness and re- serve power that carried Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hanson and fumily from Saratoga Springs, N. Y., to San Fran- 30-60 h. p. touring car - $4,600.00 - Standard Equipment includes Continental Demou 30-60 H. P. Model able Rims and Combi Upen Touring Body oy The F.B. Stearns cisco through the swamp lands of Louisiana---a region which no other automobile had ever penetrated and come out under its own power. It was sturdiness and reserve power that enabled a Stearns to climb Pike's Peak with seven passengers---a feat never accomplished before or since. It is sturdiness and reserve power, combined with the luxurious appointments of the car, that place the Stearns owner in an unique position. He is always master of the road---his car is always admired, always respected and always given the undisputed right-of- way. $3,200.00 Side and Tull | 15-30 h. p. touring car, 1 Oil and Electric ps. Vestibule 15-30 H. P. Model Company Licensed under Selden Potent CLEVELAND, OHIO THE WHITE LINE RADIATOR BELONGS TO THE STEARNS : ‘ comicbooks.com Shaft or Chain Drive Shaft Drive