Life, 1910-11-03 · page 71 of 72
Life — November 3, 1910 — page 71: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes the Stearns Landaulet, a luxury closed car manufactured by the F.B. Stearns Company of Cleveland, Ohio. The illustration depicts well-dressed figures (a woman in an elaborate dress, a man driving, and passengers) entering and riding in the elegant vehicle, emphasizing its appeal to affluent urban customers for "theatre, shopping and all social uses." The advertisement highlights luxury features: dome lighting, flower vases, speaking tubes, cigar lighters, and fine upholstery. Prices range from $4,000–$5,850 (substantial sums for the era). The term "ultimate car" reflects early automotive marketing positioning this closed carriage as the pinnacle of motoring comfort and status. The listing of a San Francisco distributor suggests this Life magazine advertisement targets wealthy West Coast readers. There is no satirical content—this is straightforward period advertising emphasizing luxury and social propriety.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“THE ULTIMATE” CA a ss FZ Z The Stearns Landaulet—An Ideal Closed Car No more attractive closed car has ever been offered than the 15-30 H. P. Stearns Landaulet. Trimmed in whipcord, broadcloth or goatskin with finishings to match and seating five comfortably in- side,a perfect car forall seasonsispresented. Theinte- rior is luxuriously furnished with roomy and well-up- holstered seats. Body fittings include dome light, clock, ower vase, speaking tube, card case, cigar lighter, ash tray, umbrella holder, note book, etc. This type of car is idcal for the theatre, shop- ping and all social uses, its remarkably easy-ridir, qualities making it an ideal town car. The chassis is exceptionally well adapted for the exigencies of city service, the drop frame permitting low hung doors with consequent ease of entrance and egress. The car has a short turning radius, and for this rea- con is easily handled in congested traffic. Although many owners use this type of car the year round, the chassis is designed so that if desired a touring body may be substituted for summer use, thus providing two complete cars. Landaulet prices vary from $4000 and $4600 for the 15-30 H. P. model illustrated above, to $5850 for the 30-60 H. P.car. The 15-30 type is recommended for town use. We have issued a booklet describing our closed cars, called “The Day in Town,” and will send it to any address upon request. 15-30 H.P. eu | The F. B. Stearns Company | +» (Licensed under Selden Patent) Shaft Drive | CLEVELAND, OHIO _ ific Coast Distributing Office, ne 1651 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco RR Agencics in all Principal Towns and Cities comicbooks.com-