Life, 1915-12-02 · page 83 of 100
Life — December 2, 1915 — page 83: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Oneida Community silverware as Christmas gifts. The page displays elegant flatware—knives, forks, and spoons—arranged against a decorative damask background. The ad appeals to middle-class sensibilities by suggesting that Community Silver represents tasteful, practical gift-giving: quality without excessive expense ("not extravagant—as true Patrician design"). The text emphasizes durability and value, noting the product comes in sterling silver and plated varieties at different price points ($1.10-$2.15 for service sets). It references Oneida's established reputation ("for 50 years," "for 25 years"). For modern readers: this reflects early 20th-century consumer culture where branded tableware signaled genteel domesticity and respectability—practical luxury items marketed to aspirational American households.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THRISTMA Then COMMUNITY in your Christm Christmas gifts should be. Above is ling and Plate. Many other designs. ONEIDA COMMUNITY, LTD ‘community? ‘but not extravagant—as true jan design, made in both Ster- le variety of pieces at your dealers. J desler for prices. ce for 50 yearn Six teaspoons, $2.15. ce for 25 years, six teaspoons $1.10) ns ONEIDA. N Y comicbooks.com