Life — January 13, 1916 — page 44: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is an advertisement for Pierce-Arrow automobiles, not political satire. The page features an illustration of an early motorcar parked in front of a residential building, with a figure standing beside it. The ad's tagline claims "A Pierce-Arrow grows old as gracefully as a good oriental rug or a Chippendale chair"—positioning the car as a luxury good that appreciates with age like fine furnishings. The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company was based in Buffalo, New York. This appears to be a straightforward luxury marketing appeal to wealthy consumers, emphasizing the vehicle's durability and status as a refined, long-lasting investment rather than disposable transportation. The comparison to oriental rugs and antique furniture suggests an aspirational, upper-class lifestyle.