Life, 1914-01-08 · page 4 of 44
Life — January 8, 1914 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a satirical cartoon about Life magazine's upcoming "Humorous Number" (April 16). The main illustration shows a small, formally-dressed man (labeled "Mr. Monk") confronting a grotesque, corpulent figure in elaborate dress—likely representing editorial chaos or bureaucratic obstruction. The joke centers on the irony that Life wants to publish a humorous special issue but finds it impossible to proceed. The text explains that publishing such an issue is considered so consequential that the thought paralyzes their writing staff with hilarity, preventing them from actually working. This is meta-satire: a humorous magazine joking about its inability to create humor due to overthinking the gravity of the task. The cartoonish figures appear generic rather than depicting specific public figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Copr. Life Pub. Co. were leat Mr. Monk: I hear that Lire is to issue a Humorous Number on April 16. “You don’t say so!” “The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, That ever we were born to set it right!” Nevertheless, the thing must be done. The Proper jf Oe Number is, therefore, an assured fact. The issuing of this “Enclosed number, however, is of such grave consequence to the Dallsr ees American people that immediately after it comes out the / nadian $1.13, situation must be relieved. This can, of course, only be 7 Foreign $1.26). ate of done by publishing a real Humorous Number. We would three months to willingly write more about this number, but we cannot. f The very thought of it fills us with such hilarity as to pre- ventour able pen from proceeding. We cannot even ask you to become a regular subscriber. You will have to obey that inp lee and do it on your own responsibility. Open only to new subscribers; no subscription renewed at this rate. Also a Proper LIFE, \7 West 31s Street, New York 32 Number on March 5 3% ONE YEAR $5.00. (CANADIAN $5.52, FOREIGN $6.04) It clin ear coul he new went for