Life, 1912-08-08 · page 19 of 40
Life — August 8, 1912 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page announces a reader contest asking what text appears on an unseen sign-board in the accompanying illustration. The sketch shows a group of people—appearing to be working-class or immigrant figures in period dress—gathered around a wooden post or sign, looking at something not visible to us. The contest offers $100 for the best answer (a substantial sum in this era). Entrants must submit a fifteen-word-or-less title/caption. The satire likely plays on the gap between what readers *imagine* the sign says versus what it actually shows—a common device in Life's humor. The specific social or political reference remains unclear without seeing the original sign or knowing the publication date context (marked 1559, likely a page number error). The working-class composition suggests possible commentary on labor, immigration, or urban conditions typical of Life's satirical focus.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
on 1559 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 Lire 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