Life, 1913-02-13 · page 29 of 44
Life — February 13, 1913 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward automobile advertisement for the Cadillac Motor Company, appearing in *Life* magazine. The page showcases the Cadillac Coupe as a luxury vehicle, emphasizing its convenience features (foot-lever engine start, electric lamps operated by button), comfort appointments, and flexibility (convertible body option available). The price of $2,500 F.O.B. Detroit positions it as high-end. The two images show the car in use and its interior layout with folding seats designed to accommodate four passengers despite the compact coupe body style. The only potential irony *Life* might be layering here is calling it a "Princely Coupe"—suggesting extravagant luxury for the wealthy—but the advertisement itself plays this straight as marketing copy rather than satire. Without additional editorial framing on the page, this reads as paid advertising rather than satirical commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ri saildiegs arr, He A Princely Coupe—The Cadillac Aside from the fact that it is a Cadillac with all that the name implies, we believe we are justified in describing this as the most sumptuous car of its type ever built. You may key your expectations as high as you please. There is no danger of disappointment. Consider first, convenience. You enter the Coupe at either side. Your foot presses a lever and the engine starts. You press a button and the electric lamps are lighted. You are ready—immediately. And you ride in such luxury that the imagi- nation cannot surpass it. By luxury we mean both motion and the “creature-comforts Let your critical eye turn where it will— there is nothing that is not super-excellent. You literally cannot conceive a more princely equipage. It is an every-day-in-the-year car, always comfortable, winter or summer, rain or shine. Or, if you wish, with an additional body you may transform it into an open car. And, it is a Cadillac, the Prince of Coupes. The price is $2,500 F. O. B. Detroit. The interior arrangement The Jillustration shows, the interior arrangement of the Cadillac Coupe. The driver's seat is about 8 inches forward of the wide . This gives greater elbow room. To allow entrance from the driving Side. the driver's seat folds back, | ‘There is ample room on the wide rear seat for two passengers, beside the driver, and the fourth passenger occupies. the front seat. which may also be folded up if desired The trimmings and appointments are elegant in the extreme. The four side windows may be lowered nd they are especially made to be vibration proof, whether up or down, CADILLAC MOTOR CAR CO., _ Detroit, Mich. comicbooks.com