Life, 1911-02-09 · page 29 of 44
Life — February 9, 1911 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1904 *Life* magazine page mixes editorial content with advertising. The left side contains "A Valentine Suggestion"—a sentimental photogravure (romantic image of a kissing couple) available for purchase, and below it a cartoon titled "The Reading Public" depicting three men in a train car reading newspapers, likely satirizing public consumption of news or media habits of the era. The right side is a full-page advertisement for Pennsylvania Vacuum Cup Tires, promoting their non-skid safety features through technical claims about "vacuum grip" and rubber knobs that prevent slipping on wet or icy roads. The ad emphasizes durability (4,000-mile guarantee) and cost-effectiveness compared to competitors. The juxtaposition is typical of *Life*'s format: mixing satirical commentary on contemporary society with commercial advertising—here, romantic sentiment alongside practical automotive innovation, reflecting early 1900s consumer culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Valentine Suggestion Copyright 1904 by Life Publishing Co. A Heart Full of Affection Photogravure, mounted 15 x 20, $1.00 Sent, carriage prepaid, to ai any address upon receipt of $1 Life Publishing Co., 17 West 31st Street, New York H marcus — Pitisbargh, THE READING PUBLIC The Principle that Makes , Side - Slipping Impossible PENNSYLVANIA VACUUM CUP TIRES carry an entirely new and efficient non-skid tread. It is moulded with a series of large, heavy, cup-shaped, | rubber knobs which exert a vacuum grip on the sur- face of the road. This vacuum hold prevents slipping in any direction. It in- creases traction, but does not retard speed because each vacuum- held cup is readily released by raising one edge first. The rolling of the wheel does this automatically. Vacuum Cup Tires grip effectively on wet or dry surfaces, © greasy asphalt, snow or ice. And in soft mud the rubber knobs sink ff into the soil, prevent slipping and afford the best possible traction. Vacuum Cup Tires are guaranteed for 4000 miles service— | double that of any other make of non-skid tire. They are more difh- | cult to puncture, on account of the extra heavy tread. They cost less and last longer than stecl-studded tires. The Safest and Longest Wearing Tire on the market. All sizes in stock st below addresses or leading dealers everywhere, or writefor full information. PENNSYLVANIA RUBBER CO.), Jeannette, Pa. 1 WS Liberty Ave, Detroit, Bich ily teat alihigta aver Aiizecepaia Mon? of 82 Y00 etter Ca, 8t New York-New York Cage Tal Beeedway, Pe ef CallforeiaSan Frascinco $19-14 Miron Bt Loe Ave sone fees Ciah."Browelog Brow Ca. Cisveland, O8 Mine. barwely, Onna Todlatapri Te, The tN. Yor Charles eM Ca shete Ee $8 Bee Harton, C Tichantnca & Ca, 1148. Washi $° sIga We Caternet Se. Portlandy Oren, 6 Bh Ave, Philadelphia, Pa, BRAscH STORES (Post & Lester Co)—New Haven, Conn. Bridgeport, Coon. Reston, Mass Syilegeeld, Nt