Life, 1912-03-21 · page 36 of 52
Life — March 21, 1912 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising** with one cartoon at the bottom. The cartoon depicts a conversation between a young boy and an elderly wealthy man (labeled "Multibillionaire"). The child asks whether true wealth beyond avarice exists—a classical philosophical question. The joke is the multibillionaire's response: he admits he couldn't possibly know, implying his own wealth is so vast and consuming that he cannot fathom any limit to desire or accumulation. This satirizes the **Gilded Age/early 20th-century culture of extreme wealth concentration**. The humor targets robber barons and industrial magnates whose fortunes were incomprehensibly large, suggesting that obscene wealth corrupts one's ability to understand moderation or satisfaction. It's social commentary on American materialism and the moral bankruptcy of those whose ambitions exceed all reasonable bounds. The surrounding advertisements (Brooks Brothers, Martin & Martin shoes, Naiad Dress Shields) reflect the page's focus on luxury goods for the wealthy readership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
oTaIRGSO Gentlemens, Furnishing Goods, For Spring Travel Overcoats, Suits, Furnishings, Shoes and Hats. Steamer Rugs and Hold-alls. Special light weight Trunks. Collapsible soiled Linen Bags. Dressing Cases with only the necessary fittings. Send for Illustrated Catalogue. BROADWAY, Cor. TWENTY-SECOND ST., NEW YORK A handsome colored reproduction of this autful Cotes Phillips drawing on heary paper, 10 x 12, sent for 10, No adeertising. “The Crowning Attribute of Lovely Women is Cleanlin ‘A woman's personal satisfaction In looking charming and dainty’ is doubled whea she knows everything about ber is exquisitely cican, Naiad Dress Shields are thoroughly, hyglenle and healthful to the most delicate ak absolutely free from rubber, with Its disagreeabl be easily and duichly STETALIZED by iamersing in boiling, watee toe a few seconds only. They are preferred by well-gowned women of refined taste. At stores or sample pair on receipt of 25c. Ecery pair guaranteed. The C. E. CONOVER CO., Mfrs. 101 Franklin Street, NEW YORK | ye] SeSeSeSecSeSe6eSeSeSeSeSe) ARTI BOOTMAKERS FOR MEN & WOMEN MS2s2eSeSeSeSeSeSeseSesesesese" A shoe of uncertain lineage makes a big showing before the test—but fails to exhibit class when tried in the open. The Martin & Martin. Shoe Service has always been devoted entirely to the selling of Hand-Sewed Shoes, with ready-to-put-on convenience. In the Martin & Martin Bootshops are shown the Thomas Cort Hand. ed Shoes, Thoroughbreds in style, in quality, in service. And in fitting these shoes to your feet, as much care and thought is given, as if you were being measured for an individual last. Custom department in connection. Upon request, we will tend Style Brochure, showing latest models for Street, Dress and Sporting Wear, together with par- Uiculars of our Seivicedy-Post Priced at $7 and up. MARTIN & MARTIN Bootmakers for MenandWomen SPSeSe SH PSOSPSSSSSESESESE is eSesesesese rd} Chicago: 310 Sout York: “GRANDPA, 18 THERE SUCH A CONDITION AS ‘WEALTIE HEYOND THE DREAMS OF AVARICE’?” Multibillionaire; i'M suRE 1 COULDN'T TELL YOU, My Boy. comicbooks.com