Life, 1920-10-07 · page 4 of 56
Life — October 7, 1920 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **commercial advertising** for Empire Loomcraft Silks, not political or social satire. The top image shows men in what appears to be a factory or workshop setting, likely depicting silk production or quality control. The advertisement's text argues that discriminating men should choose Empire brand silks for dress shirts, claiming that taste in clothing signals success and social standing. The copy suggests that wearing quality silk (identified by the Empire label) can help overcome other social "handicaps" like poor education or appearance. This reflects early 20th-century consumer culture messaging—the idea that purchasing the right branded product confers status and respectability. It's advertising, not commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-THE SUPREME Gimpire oomCcra SILKS UCCESS in life may be achieved with the handicaps of a poor, education, an unattractive personality, ora lack of taste in dress, but why assume any of these handicaps that can be avoided? A discriminating taste in dress insists upon the EMPIRE name woven in the selvage of a piece of silk, or the label in the finished garment. Send for New Book of Silks. EMPIRE SILK COMPANY, 315 Fourth Avenue, New York | comicbooks.comf}