Life, 1922-11-16 · page 6 of 36
Life — November 16, 1922 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Phoenix Hosiery advertisement**, not satire or a political cartoon. The page features ornate decorative framing around promotional text. The ad uses a philosophical appeal rather than humor: it argues that a person's worth should be measured by "what he has achieved," and that Phoenix stockings deserve recognition for their "long and honorable service" providing "great mileage at small cost." The text emphasizes that Phoenix hosiery comes from "a responsible merchant" and has achieved "first in world sales—and first in the esteem of those who know true worth." This represents typical early 20th-century advertising strategy: building brand prestige through claims of reliability, achievement, and social endorsement rather than through direct product description or price competition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Measure the worth of a man by what he has achieved, and a stocking by its long and honorable service. Phoenix has become the standard ho- siery of the world, because it has persistently furnished to men, women and children great mileage at small cost. From a responsible merchant it comes to you with his || proud stamp of approval added to ours. A staunch and lustrous record has put Phoenix first in world sales— and first in the esteem of those who know true worth. PHOENIX HOSIERY comicbooks.com