Life, 1911-04-06 · page 45 of 76
Life — April 6, 1911 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not a cartoon or satire—it's a straightforward **advertisement for Meriden Sterling Silver flatware**, published in Life magazine. The page showcases four spoon patterns (labeled Beverly, Rochelle, Shirley, and Pansy) with ornate handles. The ad emphasizes quality craftsmanship, variety of styles and weights, and the prestige of sterling silver tableware. It notes that complete dinner services range from $150 to $6,500, positioning the product as luxury goods for "well-appointed tables." The Meriden Company, based in New York City, was a legitimate silverware manufacturer (International Silver Co.'s successor). This represents typical early-20th-century magazine advertising—using Life's satirical platform to reach affluent readers who could afford fine dining goods. There is no political content or hidden satire to decode; it's a commercial pitch dressed in period typography and photography.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
uy eS. | Moe ee NG ~- SI er one FT tS FT eee: 2 —— N VARIETY and beauty of the finely-wrought patterns, graceful lines, and general attractiveness and quality, Meriden Sterling Silver can- not be surpassed. We illustrate four of our sixteen leading styles, all of which are procurable in four weights, to suit varying tastes and requirements. In any of these patterns we offer complete assortment in spoons, forks, knives and various serving pieces, purchasablesingly orinhandsome chests, fitted with any combination of pieces. Sterling Silver Tea and Dinner Ser- vices have supplanted fine china on well-appointed tables, and the vogue is to have all pieces to match in pattern that of spoons, forks, etc, Complete Tea and Dinner Services can be had in Meriden Sterling to match our flatware patterns, ranging in price from $150.00 for tea service to $6500.00 for dinner service of 149 pieces. Our unequalled resources for the pro- duction of the highest type of sterling ware enable us to olfer these sels in a completeness that is unique. A set of illustrations show- ing complete line of flatware patterns, with price lists will be mailed on request. The Meriden Company (nternational Silver Co., Successor) 49-51 West Thirty-fourth Street and 68-70 West Thirty-lifth Street NEW YORK CITY y Se . Sener A i ot “ot NO ee A 5 € Seeeae =C Ce UNS Po Sere Ser ERS oat FUy 16