Life, 1911-01-05 · page 74 of 104
Life — January 5, 1911 — page 74: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement for the Corbin Motor Vehicle Corporation, circa 1911. The page features a well-dressed man in a coat and cap (representing an aspirational businessman/professional) alongside images of the Corbin Model 40 touring car. The ad uses testimonial-style persuasion: a satisfied owner vouches for the vehicle's quality to convince skeptical buyers. The appeal targets practical concerns of the era—maintenance costs, reliability, convenience for professionals (doctors, contractors, salesmen)—and leisure benefits (family outings). At $3,000, this was a luxury vehicle. The ad emphasizes features like the Magneto ignition, gas tank, and electric lights as premium innovations. The "Selden Patent" reference indicates ongoing patent licensing disputes in early automotive manufacturing. This is period advertising designed to overcome buyer hesitation about automobile reliability and cost, not satire or political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Model 4o---Five or Seven Passenger Touring Car If you only knew the Corbin Car as I know it you would decide in its favor mighty quick HAT is what a Corbin owner said to a friend who had asked for an opinion. You, too, will find upon investigation that the strongest advo- cates of the Corbin Car are those who have selected them over any other car on the market. Perhaps you are putting off buying—from day to day—because you arg a little skeptical as to the “cost of maintenance” or the “real practical value. Make a mental note—right now—that you will either call or write one of our distributors—making an appointment for a demonstration. The moment you are seated in a Corbin Car you will be convinced of the stabil mplicity of operation, abundance of power, eas all of which is positive proof of low cost of maintenance. As you glide along comfortably and noiselessly you could not dispute the fact that if you owned a Corbin Car you could get toand from your office—night and morning—quicker, cleaner and in a better mood. Then, again, if you happen to be a physician, a contractor, a salesman, or if your business keeps you out around to any extent, you could make more calls—get around more conveniently—and the thought would occur to you that you are really losing time and money by not owning a Corbin Car. Surely you could not overlook the fact that a Corbin Car would enable you to take the family out on little week-end trips, thus taking advantage of the pure, fresh, open air—exhilarating, invigorating—which means health and happiness—that pays good dividends. The 1911 Corbin 40, $3,000 also includes, please remem- ber, as regular equipment—Imported Magneto, top with full set of Curtains, Adjustable Ra a Vision Wind Shield, Warner Speedometer, Prest-O-Lite Gas Tank, Headlights, Combina- tion Oil and Electric Dash and Tail Lamps, Storage Battery, Firestone Q. D. Demountable Rims, Tire Holders, Trunk Rack and full set of tools, etc. Let us give you more reasons why you should buy a Corbin Car—either for business or pleasure. A postal will bring our beautifully illustrated catalogue and name of ncar- — seggat 18 Five Passe ing Sar FE est dealer. CORBIN MOTOR VEHICLE CORPORATION, NEW BRITAIN, CONN. Licensed Under Selden Patent ‘Also Mod yy comicbooks.com