Life, 1914-03-05 · page 4 of 60
Life — March 5, 1914 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily an advertisement for Life magazine's upcoming "Humorous Number," scheduled for April 14th. The cartoon shows a figure appearing to strain or exert effort while smiling, illustrating the concept of forced humor. The text explains Life's appeal: issuing a humorous edition has long been their practice. They note that recent tariffs and income taxes have passed, making this an opportune moment for a satirical issue. The ad suggests readers should send a dollar to encourage this "mental hilarity." The "Valerons" premium mentioned at bottom left appears to be a subscription incentive—a handsome picture given yearly with subscriptions. The page functions primarily as a sales pitch rather than political commentary, promoting Life's satirical tradition during what appears to be the early 20th century.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
What Is This Man Doing? Nothing unusual. Merely trying to smile over the idea of LIFE issuing a Humorous Number. Which is coming, however, on, April 14th,—Tuesday. / 7 f slippi it can toe o! f : The / ian 18 The Idea adam fu on Of issuing a Humorous Number of Life is one which bas always appealed to us. Send for nr f We have been putting it off from week to week practically ever since Life three months to hive began. Now that the new Tariff Bill and Income Tax have been passed, : It i it seems the psychological (whatever that is) moment to issue K this Number. In view of its near approach, would it pL _ (in case you are not already a regular) be proper for that you to Obey that Impulse, send us a dollar (see the vulgar coupon opposite) of your bard earned wealth and start the week right? That is, of course, for you to say. Don’t be too much influenced by this—we don’ t urge you 7 “ Veterans” to commit yourself / Open only to new subscribers; no subscription c renewed at this rate. . to three months eet LIFE, \7 West 31st Street, New York 38 ae picture given, with of mental i scsen hilarity. / ONE YEAR $5.00. (CANADIAN $5.52, FOREIGN $6.04) comicbooks.com