Life, 1922-01-19 · page 27 of 34
Life — January 19, 1922 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **full-page advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes Crane's Writing Papers, a stationery company claiming four generations of quality papermaking. The large illustration depicts an 18th-century figure in period dress (tricorn hat, fancy coat) examining correspondence—a historical reference suggesting the company's tradition and craftsmanship dating to handcraft origins. The ad emphasizes practical benefits: matched paper and envelope quantities eliminating waste, and premium "Linen Lawn" stationery for social correspondence. Right-side panels showcase product boxes and reference a guide titled "Correct Social Correspondence" by Caroline De Lancey, positioning Crane's as essential for proper etiquette. The company (Eaton, Crane & Pike) operated from New York and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This represents typical early-20th-century prestige advertising targeting middle-to-upper-class consumers concerned with social propriety and quality goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Crane's Writing Sapers Tue new five quire box with paper and envelopes propor- tioned to more nearly meet your social needs eliminates the in- convenience and waste of an over-supply of envelopes with no sheets to match. Your correspondence require- ments demand nothing more correctand more beautiful than Crane’s Linen Lawn in any ane of these distinctive styles. For Four generations one family has devoted itself to keeping paper-making up to the standard of quality that was obtained in those far off handcraft days when its mill first started. Out of the papers thus produced our designers create stationery for social use Aus rae little niceties of cial in which nothing is spared to make each correspondence are covered in sheet, envelope and box reflect credit on this book, by Caroline De : Lancey, a recognized author- the quality of the paper. ity. © Correct Social Corre- spondence”? with usable samples Eaton, Crane & Pike Company of Crane’ s Linen Lacon will be : “ sent on receipt of 60 cents. NEW YORK - PITTSFIELD, MASS. comicbooks.com