Life, 1921-03-03 · page 29 of 38
Life — March 3, 1921 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement, not political satire**. It promotes the Addressograph, a mechanical mail-addressing machine priced at $57.50 (FOB Chicago, circa 1921). The page shows the device in use: a woman operates the hand-cranked machine while an illustration depicts a businessman and woman reviewing efficiently-produced form letters and addressed materials. **The appeal to modern readers**: This advertisement demonstrates how businesses in the 1920s sought to automate tedious clerical work—specifically the mass-producing of personalized mail for advertising, collection notices, and dividend distributions. The machine promised to reduce labor costs and "name-writing" expenses while maintaining a personal touch through matched form letters. The "10 Days Free Trial" offer and checkbox-style reply card (visible on the right) are early examples of direct-response marketing. There is no political content or satirical commentary—only straight commercial persuasion targeting office managers seeking efficiency.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Alddresgso ‘TRADE MARK Names Quickly “Typed” on 1ic Plates by Your Addressograph Operator! UICKLY—privately —in your office, anyone Q “types” names, etc, on 14c plates. Then like a flash, this $57.50 Addressograph prints names, ad- dressés and data thru a ribbon, on all forms — advertising — pay — shipping — collection — dividend, etc. It’s 10 times faster than pen or typewriter. Mis- takes impossible! Presto! Amazingly well “ matched” form letters and personally addressed circulars are in buyers’ hands —orders coming back! Dull business vanishes with dull methods. The keen-cutting Addressograph again proves it's the best way to reduce name-writing costs and get business. 10 DAYS FREE TRIAL of this Hand-Operated, Ribbon- Print Addressograph will convince you—Have salesman demon- strate at your desk—obey that impulsé—write or 'phone nearest DO Send samples of 134c Blank office (no obligation—just good business !). Plates and tell how we can UNITED STATES SALES OFFICES AND SERVICE STATIONS. oa Cleveland, Odio Indiasapolis, Tod. Ki Mo. WI OAs it won't cost us anything nor obligate us to buy, ship on ap- proval Hand-Operated, Ribbon- dg Bo Pass, Tense & Lost Print Addressograph for 10 Mouston, Texas . ratedto, Oh days’ trial. OHave salesman demonstrate Hand Addressograph he carries Buren St. with him, Chicago, III. O Send new 1921 catalog and » Lu price list. CANADIAN HEAD OFFICE—70 Bay St. Toronto Montreal Wianipes Life 3-3-2 comicbooks.com