Life, 1911-12-14 · page 2 of 40
Life — December 14, 1911 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire page** — it's a straightforward advertisement for the Silent Waverley Electric Limousine-Five, an early electric automobile manufactured by The Waverley Company of Indianapolis. The image shows a winter scene with a well-dressed chauffeur and passengers beside the vehicle parked near an elegant mansion. The advertisement emphasizes practical advantages: electric cars required no hand-cranking, wouldn't freeze in cold weather (unlike gasoline engines), and cost less to operate than gas cars. The ad targets affluent town and suburban residents, promoting the vehicle's reliability, comfort ("ample seat space for five adults"), and superior visibility. Prices ranged from $1,225 to $3,500. This represents early automotive marketing before gasoline vehicles became dominant.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Seats Five—Full View Ahead Fully Equipped, $3509 AT YOUR INSTANT COMMAND THE COLDEST DAY OR all town and suburban use, this magnificent Electric Limousine gives you /ositively ED dependable service when gasoline cars are out of commission. No frozen radiator—no engine troubles—no cranking. All the service of any Town Car at less than half the expense for power and tires of most gas cars. SILENT WAVERLEY ELECTRIC LIMOUSINE-FIVE Is the only electric of ample seat space for five adults, and a wholly unobstructed view through the front window for the driver. Richly upholstered. High-efficiency shaft drive. Full elliptic springs front and rear with torsional supporting cross springs. Splendidly illustrated Waverley Art Book shows Limousine-Five, the Waverley 1912 Four-Passenger brougham and other models. Prices $3500 down to $1225. Catalog of Waverley Commercial Electrics will be sent on request. Exide, Waverley or National Batteries—Ironclad or Edison Battery at Extra Price THE WAVERLEY COMPANY hosteenrice, 166 South East St., INDIANAPOLIS, IND., U. S. A. NEW YORK, 2010 Broadway ST. LOUIS, 4432 Olive St. PHILADELPHIA, 2043 Market St. CHICAGO BRANCH, 2005 Michigan Ave. comicbookseemd =