Life — May 11, 1922 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward advertisement for Marmon automobiles, produced by Nordyke & Marmon Company of Indianapolis (established 1851). The ad emphasizes the Marmon as "The Foremost Fine Car," appealing to affluent buyers. The sales pitch highlights practical virtues: dependability, low maintenance costs, longevity, and performance. Importantly, it targets **pride of ownership**—suggesting that owning a Marmon confers social status and permanent satisfaction, not mere temporary pleasure. The elegant line-drawing of the open-air touring car exemplifies the luxury automobile market of the 1910s-1920s, when such vehicles were expensive status symbols for the wealthy. The ad's tone and design reflect the refined marketing typical of high-end automotive advertising during this era.