Life, 1911-12-28 · page 38 of 41
Life — December 28, 1911 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page advertises decorative prints by illustrator Coles Phillips, a prominent early 20th-century commercial artist. The prints are romantic, sentimental images—a woman using a telephone ("Long Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder"), couples in intimate moments, and solitary figures in reverie. The satirical frame is subtle: the opening text mock-nostalgically asks if readers regret "ye olden time," then argues that "modern improvements" have enhanced romance itself. The joke appears to be ironic commentary on how technology and contemporary sentimentality have commercialized romance—you can now *buy* beautiful images of romantic feelings rather than experience them authentically. Phillips's elegant Art Nouveau-influenced style was fashionable for advertising and magazine illustration. The page itself is primarily a product advertisement disguised as editorial content, which was common in *Life* during this era. The pricing and promotional language ("why not send $3.00 for the set?") confirm this is selling nostalgia and aesthetic refinement to readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AN ANTIQUE Photo Do you regret the passing of “ye olden time”? If so, a glance at the above n convince you that there are “modern it provements” even in the ficlds of romance that add largely to the intere:t of life LONG DISTANCKH MAKES THE HEART GRow roxy Of course you admire the clever work of Coles Phillips. this talented artist. Two new ones are shown on this page. “Arms and the Man,” and “Between You and Me and the Post.” A Page of New Life Prints REVERIES OF A BACHELOR Photogravure, Mounted, 14x 20 Price, $1.00 “At times beside the cheery blaze, When care and I are leagues apart, A gentle phantom steals and lays, Atender hand upon my heart.” This is one of two verses of dainty sen- timent by Arthur Guiterman which ap- pear just below this attractive picture, LEND A HAND Printed in full colors and attractively mounted on white with a small. red border line. One of the best. prints of the year anda picture that will appeal to all, Plate pout 8x10, on mount I2 x 16, Price, 50 cents Can be framed 12x16 and in this form will be the brightest, catchiest and most amusing thing in your study, den or bedroom, WITHOUT ACCOMPANIMENT Printed in color, Mounted, 12x 16 Price, 20 cents We now have six excellent subjects after originals by The others are reprints of “Illusion,” “Home Tics,” These were formerly $1.00 but are now reprinted and less expensively mounted—uniform with those shown here and all sell at 50 cents cach. If you have the older ones you will want the new ones. If you haven't them, why not send $3.00 for the sct? LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 17 West 31st St., New York Brow Kel (The is duc blend obtair they by ag comicbook Seon