Life, 1917-10-18 · page 29 of 40
Life — October 18, 1917 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes The Brunswick phonograph (a record player) in *Life* magazine, page 637. The image shows two children operating a Brunswick phonograph, illustrating its appeal to families. The advertisement emphasizes: 1. **Superior sound quality** — an all-wood sound chamber "built like a violin" for clear, vibrant reproduction 2. **Universal compatibility** — it plays "all records" regardless of manufacturer, removing limitations that affected competing models 3. **Specific advantage** — owners can play Pathé Discs (a major record label) using the included sapphire-ball reproducer 4. **Prestige and history** — made by the House of Brunswick, a 76-year-old woodworking leader 5. **Price range** — $30 to $1,500 across ten models The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. had locations in major U.S. cities and Canadian distributors. This reflects the early phonograph era when format compatibility and sound fidelity were genuine competitive advantages among manufacturers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Known for Its Tone And Because It Plays All Records The Brunswick has an all-wood sound chamber—built like a violin. This throat gives The Brunswick a clear, vibrant voice. When you hear it, you will have a new appreciation of phonographic re- production. One must compare it. Another feature that decides many in favor of The Brunswick is i ili I records, whatever make. This removes limitations. This means Brunswick owners may now enjoy the now famous Pathe Discs, for which a sapphire-ball reproducer is furnished. Pathe, as you know, has the world's largest collection of records. The Brunswick is designe: d built by the House of Brunswick, for 76 years a leader in the wood working art. The Brunswick is furnished in ten models ranging from $30 to $1500. Hear The Brunswi fore you decide. It is the final type, a composite of all wanted features—truly * AIL Phonographs i : The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. Chicago San Francisco New York Cincinnati Branch Houses in Principal of United States, Mexico, CANADIAN_ DISTRIBUTORS: Musical Merchandise Sales Co., 80 York St DRALE Y xum | comicbooks.com