Life, 1917-04-05 · page 6 of 70
Life — April 5, 1917 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The illustration depicts a vehicle (resembling a touring car or float) labeled "SEEING LIFE" carrying multiple figures up an inclined plane or ramp. The composition suggests a satirical commentary on how people experience life—portrayed as a structured, managed journey rather than organic experience. The text references "Bankers' and Pacifists' Numbers," indicating this is from a period concerned with financial interests and peace activism, likely the WWI era or immediate aftermath. The accompanying contest solicits reader opinions on subscribing to LIFE magazine itself, making this largely a self-promotional page. The cartoon's central joke appears to satirize the commodification and packaged nature of experiencing "life" in modern America—suggesting it's become a commercial product to consume rather than live authentically.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, we are coming to some interesting numbers. Besides the Bankers’ and Pacifists’ Numbers, there will be a galaxy of remarkable pictorial and textual outbursts of a general nature beginning with April and extending through until June. Next week a general number—price only ten cents as usual, All news- stands, if you get there early enough. Our Own Private Contest Anyone is eligible to this contest, which consists of opinions limited to twenty-five words, more or less, and telling why you should (or should not) become a regular subscriber. Anyone is liable for a prize, which age of Lire blotters Is This Free Verse Being short on blotters. am forced to submit this in type. The ink blots ial y Spee so easily Enclosed . Why pay out five good, hard-earned i “bones, ” and the editors know When you can freely r ci the humor of Lire, and Down to the corner drug. 3 sometimes God doesn't know Jusi two block . Please send the blotters. To ger a thre 4 . _And hash out the nation’s strife, Then lean upon the counter And read the druggist’s Lire? POH. F, Says I to friend wife, “T'm subscribing for Ltr. We can laugh and grow fat . At the price of my kat— n only to new subscribers; no sub Costs but five—think of that!” newed at this rate. F. B. s . B tz West grst Street. New York. N One Year $5.00. (Canadian, $5.52; Foreign, $6.04.)