Life, 1922-06-15 · page 25 of 36
Life — June 15, 1922 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a straightforward advertisement for Whitman's candy, specifically their "Sampler" box. The page showcases an ornate chocolate assortment box with decorative cross-stitch patterning on the lid. The ad emphasizes luxury and heritage, highlighting that Whitman's has been making quality candies since 1842. The appeal is to consumers who view candy as a refined gift or treat rather than mere confection. The marketing language targets "people who appreciate candies of the better kind," positioning the product as upscale. The Sampler's value proposition is offering "favorite sweets from ten leading Whitman packages" in one box—essentially a curated collection. There is no political commentary, caricature, or satirical point. This is a period advertisement demonstrating how candy was marketed to middle and upper-class consumers in early-to-mid 20th century America, emphasizing tradition, quality, and aesthetic presentation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
most famous box of candy Sampler invites you— —to an altogether unusual experience in sweets —to a candy package which reflects the quaint, odd beauty of the cross-stitch work of long ago —to an assortment of chocolates and confections quite unlike any other, because it offers in one package the favorite sweets from ten leading Whitman packages —to a delicious quality in sweets which has been famous ever since 1842 among people who appreciate candies of the better kind —to that “different” kind of candy package which has a special value, as a gift or when you entertain or when you wish, yourself, to enjoy sweets as good as they can be made The Sampler, Pleasure Island, Salmagundi and other Whitman packages may be had at that selected store near you which displays the sign Whitman STEPHEN F. WHITMAN & SON, Inc., Philadelphia, U. S. A. Also makers of Whitman's Instantaneous Chocolate, Cocoa and Marshmallow Whip New York Branch: 215 W. 33rd St. Branch: 1537 Michigan Ave., South San Francisco Branch : 449 St. comicbooks.com