Life, 1919-07-03 · page 43 of 52
Life — July 3, 1919 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon** but rather a **product advertisement** for Columbia's Grafonola (an early phonograph/gramophone). The page showcases the company's "Period Models"—gramophones designed to match various historical interior design styles, particularly Louis XVI (18th-century French rococo). The imagery emphasizes luxury and artistic sophistication: the ornate cabinet design, the silhouetted period scene at top showing aristocratic gatherings, and the lower illustration of people enjoying classical music. The sales pitch appeals to wealthy consumers' desire for **aesthetic harmony** between their music device and home décor. Priced $250-$2,100 (substantial sums in this era), these were luxury goods marketed as objects combining **modern technology with period elegance**—allowing buyers to display cultural refinement and good taste. This reflects early 20th-century consumer culture targeting the affluent middle and upper classes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
tafonola in Rriod designs There is an added charm to the sweetest music when it floats through the silken portals of this lovely Louis XVI Grafonola. Its beautiful finish and graceful lines delight the eye, even as its pure and resonant tone fascinates the ear. Every distinctive period in art is represented in these beautiful Columbia Period Models. You may be sure of finding one that will accord harmoniously with the decorative treatment of your home. we Period Designs from $250 to $2100 Standard Models up to $300 COLUMBIA GRAPHOPHONE COMPANY, New York London Factory: 102 Clerhenwell Road, E.C, —_. me Columbia Grafonola ~~ in Louis XVI Design comicbooks.com