Life, 1915-11-04 · page 56 of 56
Life — November 4, 1915 — page 56: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes the Victrola phonograph by claiming it captures the performances of famous early 20th-century singers and musicians: Caruso (opera tenor), Tetrazzini (soprano), Farrar (soprano), Alma Gluck (soprano), McCormack (tenor), Paderewski (pianist), Mischa Elman (violinist), Harry Lauder (Scottish entertainer), and Sousa (composer/bandleader). The ad's rhetorical strategy compares the machine's quality to these renowned artists—"mighty as Caruso," "brilliant as Tetrazzini," etc.—suggesting the Victrola faithfully reproduces their artistry. The silhouetted product image shows the cabinet-style machine typical of the era. For modern readers: this reflects how phonograph technology was revolutionary, allowing middle-class homes to access world-class performances previously available only to concert-goers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
November 4, 1915 L Mighty as Caruso Brilliant as Tetrazzini Charming as Farrar Sweet as Alma Gluck Magnetic as McCormack Tender as Paderewski Unique as Mischa Elman Droll as Harry Lauder Martial as Sousa The Victrola is all artists and all instruments in one. It gives you the actual tones of the renowned singers and instrumentalists of the world. It is the genius, the power, the beauty of every voice and every instrument. It is the supreme musical instrument of all time. Any Victor dealer will gladly play any music yea wish | to a od lemonstrate the various styles of . the Victor and Victrola—$10 to Victrola XVI, $200 $350. Victrola XVI, electric, $250 Mahogany or oak Victor Talking Machine Co., Camden, N. J., U.S.A. Berliner Gramophone Co., Montreal, Canadian Distributors Always use Victor Machines with Victor Records and Victor Needles— the combination, ‘There is no other way to get the unequaled Victor tone. New Victor Records demonstrated at all dealers on the 28th of each month comicbooks.com