Life, 1912-08-22 · page 31 of 44
Life — August 22, 1912 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a *Life* magazine contest page from 1647 (likely 1947, given the typeface and style). The illustration shows a group of working-class people gathered around an unseen sign or notice board, their attention focused but expressions suggesting confusion or concern about what it says. The contest asks readers to caption or title this scene in fifteen words or fewer, with a $100 prize. The satire likely plays on the mystery of public notices—the universal experience of crowds gathering to read announcements affecting their lives (possibly job postings, rationing information, or government notices), capturing a moment of shared uncertainty or anticipation. The humor derives from the gap between the characters' serious interest and the reader's inability to see what they're reading.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
———9 4 — _wereEman fe-~ What’s on the Sign-Board>? One Hundred Dollars fer 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 up 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 anv 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