Life, 1911-10-12 · page 35 of 48
Life — October 12, 1911 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement from *Life* magazine, likely from the 1910s-1920s era. **What it is:** A full-page ad for the White Company's luxury automobile, specifically their "town car" model, manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio. **The pitch:** The ad emphasizes White's reputation for reliability (their steamers were "most reliable" on the market) and argues their gasoline cars now match that quality while adding luxury styling. Key selling points include superior craftsmanship, elegant design ("greyhound trimness"), comfort, and the practical advantage of being compact enough to navigate crowded city streets—important for wealthy urban buyers. **Notable detail:** The ad offers "a dainty booklet for dainty women," reflecting early 20th-century gender marketing assumptions about car-buying decisions or influence. This represents how premium automotive manufacturers positioned themselves during the transition from steam to gasoline vehicles.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1 front tended, defend Al little up.” his fa. house, T got dys, rms. in a girl script, White Town Cars IHITE town cars are but the complete expression of the designing genius and the manufacturing ability of the great White factory—the natural consequence of the experience and ideals of these builders. For years the White factory has been noted for the kind and class of workmanship—for the grade of materials used— in other words, for the reliability of its manufacturing. For years and years the White Steamer was the most reliable automobile upon any market; then came the White gasoline car—the car, which by performance has been the wonder of the automobile world—the car, which by its design has far surpassed ordinary gasoline cars as the steamer surpassed the early types. With all these facts the automobile world is well acquainted—these were the facts of designing and manufacturing ability. Sumptuously Built IHIE, town cars, in addition to the splendid building and designing, incorporated another thought called “style”—that beauty of line—that sumptuous finish— j that greyhound trimness that marks the well-done product from the common kind. The most casual glance at the White town car at once convinces the most skeptical of the superb building, finishing and attention to details. Nothing that can contribute to make a car more comfortable and luxurious has been omitted from the White town car—they are the acme of luxury, and yet they are not large and cum- bersome, but thread the crowded streets with ease. For the asking we will send a dainty booklet for dainty women that tells all about these White town cars. Potts Ios oaa aa [ch comicbooks.com