Life, 1912-05-02 · page 37 of 58
Life — May 2, 1912 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **corporate advertisement**, not political satire. The Prudential Insurance Company uses this full Life magazine page to showcase its 1911 financial performance and promote life insurance policies. **Key content:** - Founding narrative: John F. Dryden pioneered "industrial insurance" (affordable policies for working-class Americans) - Impressive statistics: $259 million in assets, $2 billion in insurance force, 1.5 million claims paid - Product pitch: "Guaranteed Monthly Income" policies for family protection and old age security - Iconic branding: The Rock of Gibraltar logo (representing stability and strength) **Historical context:** This reflects early-20th-century industrial insurance's legitimacy and growth. The detailed financial statements aim to build consumer confidence in an industry that had faced skepticism about financial reliability. There is no political cartoon or satire on this page—it's a straightforward corporate advertisement exploiting Life's credibility to reach middle-class readers concerned about economic security.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SIRE The Prudential ne Home Office be. SEAS The Prudential Founded by John F. Dryden, Pioneer of Industrial Insurance in ‘America | GREATEST YEAR OF STRENGTH AND USEFULNESS ANNUAL STATEMENT, DEC. 31, 1911 Assets, over : . : : . . : 259 Million Dollars Liabilities, nearly ‘ F 5 F : . 241 Million Dollars Income in 1911, over : - ‘ ‘ 81 Million Dollars Capital and Surplus, over z 3 : . 18 Million Dollars Paid Policyholders in 1911, over “ 27 Million Dollars Life Insurance Issued and Paid for in 1911, “over. 440 Million Dollars Increase in Paid-for Insurance in Force, over. 167 Million Dollars Liabilities include Policy Dividends : : . 29% Million Dollars of which there is payable in 1912 ‘ ‘ 434 Million Dollars Total Paid Policyholders since organization. is amount ene held at interest to their credit, over ° , 7 a 5 466 Million Dollars iNvorce over. . . . . . 10 MILLIONS itForce over. . 2 BILLION DOLLARS Number of Individual Claims Paid Since Organization . . . 1% Million Send for particulars of the Prudential policy, providing a Guaranteed Monthly Income for yourself or wife. A lifelong protection for your dear ones, or your own old age. The Prudential Insurance Co. of America Incorporated as a Stock Company by the DO Actress State of New Jersey xX Occupation Forrest F. Dryden, President Home Office, Newark, N. J. Sivinge'ts comicbooks.com