Life, 1921-12-01 · page 49 of 58
Life — December 1, 1921 — page 49: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Whitman's chocolate advertisement**, not a political cartoon. The page promotes various holiday chocolate gift packages from Stephen F. Whitman & Son, a Philadelphia confectioner. The image shows decorated boxes arranged under festive holiday decorations (garland, ornaments, candles). The ad describes multiple package options—"The Sampler," "Fussy Package," "Super Extra," "Pleasure Island" (in a pirate's chest, referencing Robert Louis Stevenson), and "Library Package" (shaped like a book)—each designed to appeal to different tastes and occasions. For modern readers: this represents early 20th-century marketing strategy, emphasizing gift-giving and consumer choice during holidays. The decorative presentation and product variety reflect period advertising that positioned chocolate as an aspirational luxury gift. The whimsical packaging names ("Pleasure Island," "Library") suggest attempts to make confections feel special and themed.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Everybody Wants a private stock of good sweets over the holidays. Everybody’s taste can be suited in the variety of Whitman packages of chocolates and confec- tions. Place your order with the near-by Whitman agency and double the value of your gift by selecting an appropriate package. THE SAMPLER—chocolates and confections select- ed from ten leading Whitman's packages. The box is as quaint as the sweets are good. A FUSSY PACKAGE—nut and hard center choco- lates, beautifully boxed. SUPER EXTRA chocolates and confections—the quality which first made Whitman's famous. NUTS, CHOCOLATE COVERED—a rich, deli- cious assortment that enjoys wide popularity. PLEASURE ISLAND chocolates in a pirate’s chest that recalls the romance of R. L. S. SALMAGUNDI PACKAGE—super-extra choco- lates. Metal box lacquered in exquisite mosaic. A gift that is sure to charm. LIBRARY PACKAGE-Shaped liked a book. A new assortment of chocolates. Hand painted round boxes and fancy bags, boxes and cases in great variety. STEPHEN F. WHITMAN & SON, Inc. Philadelphia, U.S. A. Sole makers of Whitman's Instantaneous Chocolate, Cocoa and Marshmallow Whip comicbooks.com