Life, 1922-12-21 · page 4 of 42
Life — December 21, 1922 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Packard automobile advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. The page uses persuasive marketing language aimed at affluent buyers. The image shows a woman examining what appears to be a Packard vehicle's engine or mechanical component, positioned as an authority figure validating the product's quality. The advertisement's central argument is that consumers should "trust your own thoughts of Packard"—appealing to readers' instincts and personal judgment rather than external endorsement. It claims Packard has achieved cultural prestige, having "passed into the inner life of the nation" and become "symbolic of pre-eminence." The tagline "Ask the man who owns one" (visible at bottom) was Packard's actual historical slogan, positioning current owners as credible testimonials. This represents early 20th-century luxury marketing targeting the wealthy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TrusT YouR Own THOUGHTS OF PACKARD In your own mind you instinctively award a high place to Packard. The thought of Packard comes first, and instantly, when the finest cars are discussed. The name of Packard leaps to your lips when you are seeking a synonym for the best. These instincts, intuitions and im- pressions of yours can be trusted. They can be trusted because they are true—and because your mental process in regard to Packard is the almost universal process. Packard has passed into the inner life of the nation and taken a per- manent place in literature as symbolic of pre-eminence. Nothing that we might say of Packard could possibly compare with this spontaneous, almost unconscious, and wellnigh unanimous tribute. Trust your own thoughts of Packard —they will lead you to unalloyed satisfaction. Five-Passenger Touring, 82485; Seven-Passenger Touring, $2685; Runabout, #2485 ; Sport Model, $2650; Coupe, #3175; Five-Passenger Sedan, #3275; Seven-Passenger Sedan, #3525 ; Five-Passenger Sedan Limousine, $3325 ; Seven-Passenger Sedan Limousine, #3575 ; at Detroit (CR ons comicbooks.com