Life — June 15, 1916 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Victrola Advertisement This is a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes the Victrola, an early phonograph/record player, as "the instrument of the world's greatest artists." The six portrait heads surrounding the central device identify famous performers of the era: Hinkle, Braslau, Murphy, Werrenrath, Marsh, and Kline. These appear to be prominent singers and musicians whose recordings were available on Victor Records. The ad's appeal is straightforward: owning a Victrola allows middle-class households to experience world-class musical performances at home. It emphasizes exclusivity ("only instrument for which the greatest singers...make records") and quality sound reproduction. The "His Master's Voice" logo appears in the corner—Victor's trademark featuring a dog listening to a phonograph horn.