Life — January 4, 1912 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **1912 automobile advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes Oakland Motor Cars, manufactured by Oakland Motor Car Co. in Pontiac, Michigan. The ad features a Model "40" Sociable Roadster priced at $1,450, depicted with three passengers. The marketing emphasizes "The Joy of Duty Well Performed," claiming Oakland cars represent the "most distinctive line of motor cars on the market" through years of engineering refinement. The text highlights various chassis options (30, 40, 45 h.p.) and price range ($1,200-$3,000). The decorative art nouveau border and formal layout are typical of early 20th-century trade magazine advertising. This reflects the era when automobiles were luxury goods marketed to affluent consumers.