Life, 1911-01-05 · page 88 of 104
Life — January 5, 1911 — page 88: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **car advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company's Model GA Roadster (priced at $1600, 4-cylinder, 30 HP). The illustration shows two well-dressed people in the open-air roadster, conveying respectability and leisure. The ad copy emphasizes practical virtues: durability ("365-day service"), economy, comfort, and mechanical simplicity—selling the car as both pleasure vehicle and business tool. The phrase "WATCH THE FIGURES GROW" references sales data shown below, suggesting the vehicle's commercial success. This represents early 1900s automotive marketing: positioning cars as accessible, practical investments rather than luxury toys. No political cartoon or satire is present—this is straightforward commercial messaging typical of *Life* magazine's advertising content from this period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
' It is a car which will do all that is expected of a pleasure car, and at the | same time can be used profitably in your business, because it is°a time-saver and | can be economically operated. It is a dependable car, able to render 365-day service every year. It is a comfortable car, roomy, rest inviting, easy riding, ideal for touring, | In addition to providing these essentials, it has the virtue of Maxwell mechanical } simplicity, which insures satisfactory service. It has some decidedly new features which are unmistakable advantages, proven by the most vigorous tests. You ought to see this newest Maxwell, you ought to own one. If you would know more about the advantages of Maxwell, write to us. Just say, ‘‘ Mail Books.” § We will send you information about our complete line, including a car for every use. SALE OF MAXWELLS TO DATE MAXWELL- BRISCOE MAXWELL FACTORIES = MOTOR CO. Base = RAGE E. FIGURES GROW Licensed under Selden Patent Member A. La A Mz