Life, 1923-07-05 · page 38 of 40
Life — July 5, 1923 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features Life magazine's 1924 New Year's editorial, a tongue-in-cheek parody of the Declaration of Independence rewritten for the Jazz Age. The satire mocks the frivolous hedonism of 1920s youth culture by mimicking America's founding document. Where the original asserts "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," Life magazine's version treats these as commodities: one can obtain "Life at $1 for a 10 weeks' trial." The joke targets both the commercialization of American ideals and the era's pleasure-seeking mentality. By applying revolutionary language to trivial concerns—subscriptions, leisure travel, automobile parts—the piece ridicules how the younger generation has trivialized founding principles into marketing slogans. The surrounding advertisements (cruise lines, auto parts) reinforce the irony: genuine revolutionary ideals have become mere selling points in a consumer economy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1924 Jan. 26th—June 3rd Limited to 400 Guests Tue Cunard Liner “Samaria” during our memorable 1923 Jubilee Cruise, proved herself so preeminently suitable in construction, equipment and appoint- ments that we have rechartered her with much gratification. Cook’s 1924 Cruise Around the World will be an epic— a superlative opportunity to all who know that yearning and longing to sail clear around the globe and see the wonders, the mysteries and the splen- dors of the world we live in. A superb itinerary under the management of the ONE TRAVEL ORGANIZATION in the World, especially equipped for this kind of work through its unrivalled experience and it$ chain of permanent offices all along the route. The renowned CUNARD SERVICE—courteous, competent officers—well-trained stewards—unexcelled cuisine— will again enhance the pleasures of the voyage. Sailing Eastward from New York Early Reservations Advisable THOS. COOK @ SON 245 Broadway NEW YORK 561 Fifth Ave. Boston Philadelphia Chicago San Francisco LosAngeles Montreal Toronto CAN THIS CONDENSER TAKE THE PUNISHMENT? You bet I can. I’m built with just the right capacity to keep all the shocks from the Breaker-Contacts without taking any of the kick out ofthe sparks at the plugs. And I can keep on doing it too as long as you want me to, because my insulation is high test. You see I'ma Genuine North East Service Part and here’s the yellow box chat brought me from the North East Factory.” Noatn East Service Inc. Atlanta Rochester Chicago San Francisco Detroit Windsor Kansas City London New York Paris Official Service for North East Electric Co. Rochester, N. Y. of Starters Generators Ignition Horns Speedometers The Spirit of ’23 W hen in the Course of human events it heromes necessary for one people to dis- solur the bonds which Bind them to serious Things, we believe that the Laws of Nature should be allomed ta take their courses. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men, women and children are created with an equal Chance to enjoy themselurs, that they are endomed mith certain inalienable Rights and Lefts and that they ought to use them if they are uot granted Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. And just to help things along, we hereby declare that the aboue grants are, and of Right ought to be, all Three in One, like the famous Oil, and consequently Everybody is at Liberty to obtain Life at $1 for a1 0 merks’ trial, and if his, her or their, Pursuit of Happiness is not happily finished by that Time, it won't be our Fault. And for the support of this Berlar- ation, me pledge our Life, our “fortunes” (laughter), and our Sense of Humor. ). (Signed) Life Ib Writers Is Avtists I, Adwerlisers Is, Subscribers Declare Yourself - - Obey that Coupon 598 Madison Avenue, New York City. I declare, I have a dollar! Please take it so that I get a 10 Weeks’ Trial Subscription. (Canadian, $1.20; Foreign, $1.40). My independent name and address is (are): One Year, $5.00. (Canadian, $5.80; Foreign, $6.60.) comicbooks.com