Life, 1922-12-28 · page 35 of 37
Life — December 28, 1922 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous self-promotional piece by *Life* magazine disguised as a mock legal resolution. The ornate masthead shows figures celebrating around a clock striking midnight, establishing the New Year's theme. The satire references current 1922 events to frame why readers need *Life's* humor: Lenin, Trotsky (Russian communist leaders), Kemal Pasha (Turkish nationalist), the Kaiser's memoirs, the New York Yankees, and wood alcohol (dangerous bootleg liquor during Prohibition). These represent serious, depressing world events justifying the need for satirical relief. The "resolution" is essentially an advertisement encouraging subscriptions at five dollars, with instructions to "say it with coupons"—a playful dig at the period's coupon-clipping culture. References to "Mr. Gallagher" and "Mr. Shean" likely allude to a popular contemporary comedy duo. The document functions as both satire and direct marketing, using humor about contemporary troubles to sell the magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Have You a New Resolution in Your Home? Try this one on your List WHEREAS, despite Lenine, Trotzky, Kemal Pasha, the Kaiser’s Memoirs, the New York Yankees, and Wood Alcohol, a New Year is about to happen, and WHEREAS, it is customary to ‘celebrate such an event by the making of resolutions for a better Life during the ensuing twelve months, therefore BE IT RESOLVED THAT itis the sense (of Humor) of this Meeting-that LIFE for 1923, beginning with the 4oth Anniversary Number next week, contain the best number of leaves that anybody. ever turned over, and that the subscription price remain at Five little Dollars, and that everyone be utged.to say it with coupons. Also, that a copy of these resolutions be printed in LIFE where he who borrows may;tead, and perhaps take the hint. Obey that Impulse, Mr. Gallagher! Sign that Coupon, Mr. Shean! Done under our hand and trained seal, this 28th Day of December, 1922. i terms, Towish to take advantage of Five lars. es "7 ae . you will live.in Canada, Z (Signed) Le. / of iat ten Sols 5.60 as thar abe ES = the or O: Nar (Canadian, $1.20; (Foreign, $1.40). comicbooks.com