Life, 1912-10-24 · page 21 of 48
Life — October 24, 1912 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a **titling contest** rather than a completed cartoon. The untitled illustration depicts a religious ceremony—likely a wedding or funeral—in a grand cathedral with a priest in white vestments addressing a gathered crowd. The scene appears formal and solemn, with well-dressed attendees in early 20th-century attire. Life magazine is challenging readers to supply the best caption, offering $100 (substantial money at the time) to the winner. The contest deadline is November 11, with winners announced in the December 5 Christmas issue. The satire's point is unclear without knowing the intended joke, but Life's strategy here was common: crowdsourcing witty titles from readers while generating engagement. The image's ambiguity—what exactly is "happening"?—is the puzzle readers were meant to solve with clever, concise captions (maximum twenty words).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ths picture has no title. What Has Happened? | For the Best Title to This Picture Life Will Give One Hundred Dollars Conditions of the Contest The title, with sub-title, or in whatever form sub- mitted, must not exceed twenty words. The paper upon which it is sent should contain nothing else ex- cept 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. Among titles of equal merit preference will be given to the shortest. Manuscripts should be addressed to The Contest Editor of Lire, 17 West 31st §t., 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 titles submitted must be at Lire office not later than Monday, November 11. The contest will close at noon of that date. Within one week from November 11 a check for $100 will be sent to the winner. Announcement of winner will be made in Lirs’s issue of December 5—the Christmas Number. It is not necessary to be a subscriber to Lire in order to compete. The contest is open to every one. Only one title from each contestant will be con- sidered, No manuscript will be returned. The editors of Lire will be the judges. They will award the prize to the title which, in their judgment, is the most deserving. comicbooks.com