Life, 1919-09-11 · page 47 of 48
Life — September 11, 1919 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon or satire**—it's a **full-page advertisement** for Chase Drednaut Motor Topping, a car roof material. The image shows a romantic, idealized scene: a woman and child admiring an automobile beneath a classical archway, with landscape visible beyond. The tagline "Defies Time and the Elements" positions the product as durable and protective. The ad's argument is straightforward: buyers shouldn't judge car tops by appearance alone; they should specify Drednaut brand for reliable weatherproofing that outlasts the vehicle itself. The company, L.C. Chase & Co. of Boston, positions itself as an established manufacturer (since 1847). The classical architectural framing and the domestic imagery (mother and child) appeal to consumers' desires for permanence, quality, and respectability—common advertising strategies of this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Give serious thought to the top"material when buying a newcar or when re-topping. Perhaps you are one of the many who, to their sorrow, accepted without heed a top on its face value — look further now — specify DREDNAUT and be protected both by the material and our trademark. L. C. CHASE & CO., BOS new youn Or CHICAGO. | SaN FRAN Leaders in Manufacturing since 1847 IHASE DREDNAUT MOTOR TOPPING IS ABSOLUTELY WEATHERPROOF— APPROPRIATE IN EVERY DETAIL — WILL ADD TO THE BEAUTY AND DIGNITY OF ANY CAR — REMAINS TRUE IN FINISH AND OFTEN OUTLASTS THE CAR ITSELF. A COSTLY MATERIAL BUT NOT AN EXTRAVAGANCE OWING TO ITS LASTING QUALITIES. Et comicbooks.com