Life, 1912-08-01 · page 23 of 40
Life — August 1, 1912 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page announces a reader contest: Life magazine is offering $100 (substantial money in 1923) for the best caption to the illustration above. The cartoon shows a group of people—appearing to be working-class or rural figures in period clothing—gathered around an automobile, staring at an illegible sign-board. The joke's premise is that readers must guess what the sign says. The contest rules are strict: answers must not exceed fifteen words, submitted on plain paper with only the contestant's name and address, and received by August 29. Life's editors will judge submissions based on wit and originality. This was a common early-twentieth-century magazine engagement tactic—a contest inviting reader participation and creativity while generating content and subscriptions. The cartoon itself relies on the humor of confusion or misreading, inviting readers to complete an ambiguous visual joke.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
What’s on the Sign-Board? One Hundred Dollars for the Best Answer Conditions The solution, in whatever form submitted, must not exceed fifteen words. The paper upon which it is sent should contain nothing else except the name and address of the author in the upper left hand corner. If this rule is violated the judges reserve the right to debar the contribution. Manuscripts should be addressed to The Contest Editor of Lire, 17 West 31st Street, New York. Envelopes addressed in any other way will not be considered. | Preference will be given to a title not submitted by several contestants, but in case more than one person submits the winning title the prize will be divided. All manuscripts submitted must be at Lire office not later than Thursday, August 29. The contest will close at noon of that date. Within one week from August 29 a check for $100 will be sent to the winner. Announcement of winner will be made in Lire’s issue of September 12. It is not necessary to be a subscriber to Lire in order to compete. The contest is open to every one. Only one answer from each contestant will be con- sidered. No manuscript will be returned. The editors of Lirg will be the judges, their de- cision to be final. They will award the prize to the title which, in their judgment, is the most deserving. comicbooks.com