Life, 1922-08-31 · page 2 of 36
Life — August 31, 1922 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **LIFE magazine advertisement** (not a political cartoon), using humor to promote magazine subscriptions. The cartoon depicts two figures: a clergy member (labeled "REV. GENT") offering existential advice to a vagrant or laborer ("OLD BILL"), who is contentedly reading LIFE magazine. The joke plays on irony: a reverend urges the man to consider his future, but Old Bill dismisses the suggestion, implying he's satisfied with his present circumstances and LIFE magazine. The advertisement's pitch follows: LIFE argues that even satisfied readers should consider subscribing for ten weeks ($1) as contingency planning for uncertain futures. It's a tongue-in-cheek sales pitch—if Old Bill can be happy with LIFE, shouldn't you secure your own subscription? This reflects early 1920s consumer advertising, where magazines marketed themselves as essential life amenities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Lire: Published Weekly by Life Publishing. Entered as Second Class Matter June 8; 1883, at the Post Office at New. York, CHartes DANA Grnson, nt Company at 598 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. nder the act of Mar i879. "Printed in New Yor) Groxce B_ RicHapson, ident ‘Annual Subscription, “Five Doll *: ‘Second Class Matter at the Bost Office Department, Can Le Roy MILLER, Treasurer Vol. 80. "No, 2078. "August 31, Popyti AEB y the United States, England and tho British Possessions B. F. Provanpre, Wester Manager Speaking from Left to Right Rev. Genr—My good man, have you considered your future life? Oxp But —If you knows of a better LIFE than this, go to it! We fear Old Bill was a little too brusque; good as this LIFE is, some future LIFE may be better, and it’s well to consider the contingency, Who knows what the next ten weeks will bring forth? Have you an Old Bill in your home? Or a New Bill? A bill of any age will do, as a matter of fa&, so long as it’s worth One Dollar ($1). Should such wealth be yours, Dear LIFE: attach it to the Coupon down I consiver below, and in the words of that I want to assure my fature LIFE for 10 the Anecdote up above — weeks at least. ($1.20 in Canada; $1.40 abroad.) GO TO IT! Yours for a trial offer, 245 LIFE, 598 Madison Avenue, New York City One Year, $5.00. (Canadian, $5.80; Foreign, $6.60.) comicbooks.com