Life, 1913-02-13 · page 4 of 44
Life — February 13, 1913 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page announces upcoming special issues of *Life* magazine. The text explicitly states that an "Awful Number" will arrive March 27, followed later by a "Humorous Number." The six caricatured male heads illustrate the distinction: the top row (labeled "Husbandette's Number of Life Next Week") shows three figures in fashionable dress; the bottom row (labeled "Not So!") depicts three grotesque, unflattering exaggerated caricatures. The accompanying text clarifies the magazine's position: these are *not* the same thing. A reader's suggestion that "Your Humorous Number must therefore be your Awful Number" is rejected. The satire suggests that while humor can be awful, awfulness isn't necessarily humorous—contrasting refined comedy with crude ugliness. The specific identities of these caricatured men remain unclear without additional historical context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Husbandette’s Number of ife Next Week Not So! Our recent statements that we are going to issue an Awful Number and a Humorous Number have led some to believe that these two numbers are one and the same. ‘What can be more awful than a humorous number of LIFE?’ writes one friend. ‘‘Your Humor- ous Number must therefore be your Awful Number.” Not so. The Awful Number is coming.on March 27. It will positively be the most awful number we ever issued. The Humorous Number will come later. We don't know just when. Up to date we have secured no material for it, but while there is LIFE there's hope. Enclosed find One Dollar (Ca- nadian $1.13. Foreign $1.26). Send LIFE for three months to Open only to new subscribers: renewed at this rate. This order must come to Us direct: not through an agent of dealer. LIFE, 17 West 31, New York One Year $5.00." (Canadian $5.52, Forelgn $5.04.) comicbooks.com