Life, 1911-04-20 · page 44 of 52
Life — April 20, 1911 — page 44: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a masthead/editorial page announcing upcoming issues. The central message targets "Breadwinners"—working-class readers—asking if they're tired of those "on top" and object to the existing social order. Life references its recent "Socialist's Number" (February 16th), which apparently generated strong backlash from the established classes, who "violently protest" any suggestion of helping "the underdog." The page announces Life's struggle to produce a "Humorous Number," humorously admitting repeated postponements while awaiting funny submissions from readers. It also lists upcoming special-issue covers (Commuter's, Joy Rider's, Bride's, Summer Girl, etc.). The satirical cartoons—including figures labeled "High Rent," "Speculation," and "Child Labor"—mock entrenched social problems. The overall tone is muckraking: Life positions itself as willing to challenge the status quo and invite readers to do the same, while gently ribbing its own editorial challenges.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Breadwinner’s Number Next Are you a Breadwinner ? you getting a trifle tired of some of those who are on top? Look for | The Squirrel On the Cover And do you object to the existing order of things? Aren't We know that you are, because our Socialist’s Number, issued on February 16th last, met with such an immediate response. : The moment that you suggest doing anything for the underdog, all the people who are on top, and think themselves secure, violently protest. We are going to have some fun with these people. That Humorous Number From time to time during the past year we have been trying to issue a Humorous Number of LIF We started out with high hopes, serencly ingenuous in our belief that such a thing was possible. We announced the number for an carly date, We postponed it to another date, waitir& for something humorous to come in. We have not yet given up the idea. The American people have hitherto been equal to every emergency. Meanwhile we call on everybody to be as funny as they can and send us the result. We Are Changing some of our coming Special Numbers as previously announced, in order to make room for some new and alluring covers, which must startle the world before Summer is over. Here we are: May 4.—Commuter’s, 11.—Joy Rider's. 18.—Celestial. 25.—College. June 1.—Bride’s, 8.—Book. 15.—Summer Girl. 22.—Coronation, & 29.—4th of July. TM July 6.—Fresh Air. uv 13.—Boy’s. Foreign $6.04 THE comicbooks.com Subscription $5.00 Canadian $5.52