Life — February 11, 1915 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is **not a cartoon or satire page** — it's a **sterling silverware advertisement** for The Gorham Company (silversmiths-goldsmiths, New York). The ornate decorative border and classical imagery are purely aesthetic, designed to evoke luxury and tradition. The text argues that sterling silverware is a sound financial investment, unlike ordinary merchandise that depreciates. It claims Gorham pieces gain sentimental and intrinsic value over time, become family heirlooms, and represent "perfect workmanship and handicraft." The copyright mark "1915" dates this to the World War I era. The ad's messaging reflects early-20th-century attitudes about heirloom quality and permanence in goods — concepts largely absent from modern consumer culture focused on disposability and trends.