Life, 1912-07-04 · page 3 of 44
Life — July 4, 1912 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **product advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It advertises the Columbia "Lyric" phonograph—a portable record player priced at $28.90 plus $5 monthly installments. The marketing emphasizes portability ("boat, automobile, tent, barn, camp, lawn or neighbor's veranda") and affordability with a money-back guarantee. The decorative elements—musical notes, a leaf-framed scene of people outdoors—illustrate the product's intended use in outdoor settings. The heading "This is a Columbia for all outdoors" is straightforward advertising copy, not satire. The illustrated phonograph and musical imagery simply support the sales pitch. This appears to be from the early 20th century, when phonographs were still relatively new consumer technologies.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
6 Second This is a Columbia. for all outdoors Tell your dealer you want the “‘Lyric’’ and he will deliver it, with 12 selections on 6 double- disc records, the whole outfit on approval, records and all, for $28.2 and at $5 a month This price covers everything. No interest to add, no extras of any sort. And your money back if you believe the outfit not equal to our representations. rranged with ove: 00 Columbia dealers all over the country to deliver this ss Hornless Columbia to local inquirers, with 6 double-disc Columbia Records (two selections on each disc); to be left with you long enough for you to decide whether to keep it or have the dealer call for it. The “Lyric” is first of all portable, condensed, compact; the cabinet is 131% inches square and 7 inches high, built of quartered oak throughout. Its quality of tone is beyond improvement and its volume of tone is surprising, until you realize that it has a perfect reproducer and a correct tone-chamber, just like that of the high- priced instruments. Insist on seeing that tone-chamber before you order. No other low-priced small hornless ‘“‘talking-machine”’ has this Columbia feature. The instrument plays either 10 or 12-inch disc records (any make, Columbia or other). You can stow it away easily and carry it anywhere—boat, automobile, tent, barn, camp, lawn or neighbor's veranda. This ‘Lyric’ is a splendid outdoor outfit, because it is portable; but in its tone, its finish, and its general appearance, it isa worthy instrument for any home for all the year around. The double-disc records that complete this outfit cannot be equalled by any others in surface, in tone or in durability; and every Columbia record envelope carries that guarantee in plain English. Dealers in 4,880 towns are prepared to fulfil this offer. If your locality is not covered by a dealer, write to us; we will see that you are supplied with cither information or outfit, according to’ your request. Be sure to see the com- plete catalog of Columbia instruments and double-disc records. Don't fail to have the dealer play for you your vorite music—sung by Destinn, Fremstad, Nordica, Garden, Slezak, Zenatello, Nielsen, Pasquali, White, Gay, Cavalieri, Bispham, or any other Columbia artist whose name is familiar to you or whose voice appeals to you. Columbia Phonograph Company, Gen’! Box 270, Tribune Building, New York City Z —>> Toronto: McKinnon Bldg. London: Earlsfield, S.W. it eee Manufacturers of the Dictaphone Whenever we are not actively represented, we are prepared to consider the granting of Exclusive Selling Rights 1331 comicbooks.com