Life, 1922-11-23 · page 27 of 36
Life — November 23, 1922 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire**, but rather a straightforward **advertisement** for government-subsidized ocean travel. The U.S. Shipping Board promotes "Travel Certificates" as Christmas gifts, emphasizing voyages on American merchant vessels to Europe, Asia, Hawaii, and South America. The ad's appeal centers on emotional benefits: anticipation, experience, and lasting memories—positioning international travel as the ultimate luxury gift. It prominently names five shipping lines the government operates or oversees, including the United States Lines and Munson Steamship Lines. The inset photograph shows travel documentation and luggage, reinforcing the gift's tangibility. The bottom includes a tear-out information blank. This reflects **post-WWI U.S. policy promoting American merchant marine strength** through passenger travel promotion. The casual mention of "no obligation" suggests modest consumer skepticism about government initiatives required addressing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NESS A TripeAbroad ~ iM ee The Gift. Supreme F you are thinking of giving some loved one the opportunities of a trip abroad, send the information blank below today! A new Christmas gift has been created. It is probably the greatest Christmas gift ever offered, because it brings the happiness of anticipation, the happiness of realization and the happiness of golden memories. This Christmas you may give some loved one the delights of an ocean voyage; new sights, strange lands; education and diversion that make life richer forever after. The pulse will quicken at the thought of the voyage (it may be taken at the con- venience of the traveler). The mind will conjure up lightening views of the myriad delights to come. ‘Then the trip itself— crowded days of seeing, hearing, living! And the years after, when cherished memories grow more and more lustrous! You will give all when you give a United States Government Travel Certificate. Find out about the greatest of all Christmas gifts. Find out about the swift, new U. S. Government ships that will carry your loved ones to the land of their dreams, You will be under no obligation. The U.S. Government Travel Certificate The ships are owned by the United States Government. They are operated by: ‘Tue Unrrep States Lines from New York to Europe; Tue Apmmat-OrrentaL Line from Seattle to The Orient; Tue Pacrric Maw Sreamsurp Com- pany from San Francisco to The Orient via Honolulu; ‘Tue Munson Sreamsnir Lines from New York to South America; ‘Tue Los Ancetes Sreamsnie Company from Los Angeles to the Hawaiian Islands, All are experienced steamship operators and have made possible a service which is making the American Merchant Marine a tremendous success. INFORMATION BLANK Write Today Send the information blank now! Thousands of Americans are investigating this newest and greatest Christmas gift. The United States Government's literature will rey Jou without any obligation, You will receive a free description of theU.8.Government Travel Certificate and a beautiful new booklet showing actual photographs of . both the exteriors and interiors of the ships, Write it today! Now, Christmas is not far jails Je To U. S, Shipping Board Information Dept. 2408 Washington, D. C. Please send without obligation the U. S. Government literature explaining the U. S. Government Travel Certificate and the ships that go to (] Europe, () South America (), ‘The Orient, () To Honolulu. comicbooks.com