Life, 1911-12-07 · page 106 of 112
Life — December 7, 1911 — page 106: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Christmas gift advertisement** rather than political satire. Life Publishing Company promotes framed art prints as holiday gifts, featuring reproductions of works by "modern American artists." The page includes four sample images: "Absent Friends" (cherub with goblet), "Playing Bridge" (social scene), "An Antique Sofa" (humor about modern furniture use), and romantic/domestic scenes like "The Pleasure of Giving" and "Home." The advertising copy argues that pictures make superior gifts to books or temporary items—they're permanent, decorative, and remind recipients of the giver's goodwill. The humor is gentle: the "antique sofa" joke appears to mock how people actually *use* furniture differently than intended. This reflects early 20th-century consumer culture and the emerging market for mass-produced art reproductions as accessible luxury gifts for middle-class Americans.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Copr. Life Pon, Co, to send to your A picture of the : hat will reach the “abseat Fr beart. Copr. Life Ped. Co. PLAYISG BRIDOE vure on India, to, Price $2.00 “What shail I give my * friends answer by Nalfour Ker Mere is the Copr. Lite Pod. Co. AN ANTIQUE SOFA Photogravure on India. Size 18x22 in. Price $2.00 Showing some modern !mprovements—not tn the furnl= ture but to the manner of using It, A Page of Xmas Suggestions Why Not a Picture? Nothing you can give will be a more permanent remem- brance. laid aside and most gifts are of a like temporary nature. The acceptable picture, how- ever, finds a place on the walls, and with proper care has a lifetime before it in which to remind the recipient of the good will and hearty good wishes of the giver. A book is read and The prints illustrated on this page are high class reproduc- tions of the work of modern AMERICAN ARTISTS, printed by the best processes, in photogravure or in color. Any picture or pictures will be sent, carriage prepaid, to any address upon receipt of your remittance. If you have not scen a cat- alog of LIFE PRINTS in- clude 25c. with your order and ask that one be sent you. It illustrates nearly 180 other subjects, suitable for gifts for all occasions or for the decora- tion of your own home. LIFE PUBLISHING CO. 17 West 31st St., New York SHOULD AULD ACQHAINTANCH BE FORGOT? Facstmile in color. Mounted, 14x16 in. ta his thoughts PLEASURE OF GIVING vure, hand colored. 2 ed, 14X18 In, Price $1.00 Imagine the “pleasurc of giving” a gift of this sart the picture we mean—to THE girl, T ere's a lot la suggestion Copr, Life Pub, Co, Photogravure, hand colored. Mounted, 14x18 In, Price $1.00 Atter all, the spirit of Christmas Is the apieit of home. Here ts an Ideal gift for the home lovers and the home makers,