Life, 1913-11-20 · page 2 of 44
Life — November 20, 1913 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **commercial advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes Globe-Wernicke sectional bookcases as Christmas gifts. The illustration shows a comical figure—a man struggling under an enormous stack of books arranged in a question mark shape, with Santa faces emerging from the curve. The visual joke is straightforward: the man represents the customer's dilemma about what Christmas gift to buy and where to store books. The advertisement emphasizes the bookcase's "sectional construction," allowing shelves to grow as one's book collection expands. It announces a special exhibit running December 1-13 and offers free colored selection cards. This reflects early 20th-century consumer culture, targeting educated, book-owning families who could afford furniture. There is no political content or satire present.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Yo a8 Seong vice in Engtand, Sixpence Copyright in England and the ‘What to give for Christmas?” ““Where to put the Gift Books?” Two questions with but a single answer— ‘Sa beautiful Globe-Wernicke Bookcase to hold the Gift Books and be an ever grateful reminder of the generous giver.’” swiss ¢ Such a gift is good for any ove member of ere the family—or for a/ the family. The in- Lets dividual will appreciate its daily use, but ent all will enjoy the beauty and good cheer wae that it adds to a room, when filled with Gas treasured volumes. ante To make the matter of selection as easy as possible, we have arranged a— Special Exhibit In Your City— Dec. Ist to Dec. 13th, of >, > app ins! aw Fee y mil ° arr Sectional Bookcases " 1 Your local Globe-Wernicke Agent will then ' show the complete line in various finishes, ; adaptable to various interiors. He will demonstrate the Sectional Construction, which permits your library to grow, shelf by shelf, as the books are acquired, yet at all times pre- serving its symmetry of arrangement. ‘Write us today for a set of ie Colored Selection Cards—Free i A new plan that gives you a good idea of ® the various styles of Globe-Wernicke Book- « cases as they appear in different interiors. s “Obey that impulse’—use the Coupon. The GlobeSWernicke Co. Mfrs. Of Sectional Bookcases And Filing Cabinets. Local Agents almost ‘everywhere. Where not represented, we ship freight prepaid Branch Stores: New York, 380-382 Broadway; Chicago, Wabash Ave.} Philadelphia, ro1zstong’ C St; Boston, 91-99 Federal St i E. Fourth St.; Washington, 121 Coupon: “Obey that impulse” —carry it out and mail today. The Globe-Wernicke Co., Cincinnaté Send set of colored Selection Cards and Buokcase Catalog No. 7$ to name and address written on the margin below. (Your local dealer will accept this coupon.)