Life, 1923-09-27 · page 27 of 36
Life — September 27, 1923 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily advertising**, not satire or political commentary. It announces reduced prices for Stearns automobiles—the Four-cylinder model at $1,595 (lowest in six years) and the Six-cylinder at $2,395. The "joke" or appeal is economic rather than satirical: the company claims price reductions are possible through doubled factory capacity and modern manufacturing efficiency, without sacrificing quality. This reflects early 20th-century industrial optimism about mass production making luxury goods affordable. The text reassures potential buyers that cost-cutting doesn't mean inferior engineering—the engines and chassis remain unchanged except for improvements. A dealer recruitment section targets entrepreneurs interested in franchise opportunities. There are no identifiable caricatures or political figures. The Stearns company logo appears centrally. This represents straightforward commercial messaging to middle-class and affluent readers of *Life* magazine, emphasizing technological progress and expanded consumer access to quality automobiles.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
New Low Prices— A STEARNS FOUR at the Lowest Price in six years, also STEARNS SIX at REDUCED PRICES HE world-famous Stearns Sleeve-valve i (Knight-type) Motor Car is now within reach of all. Those thousands of people that have admired and desired this remarkable car, but felt the price beyond their purse, can now surely afford to possess it. The new and extremely low prices are made possible by the remark- able provision which the F. B. Stearns Company has made for greatly increased production. It takes time to increase facilities and enlarge an organization to build so fine a thing as a Stearns Sleeve-valve Motor Car in large numbers and yet maintain quality. But so care- fully and thoroughly has the man- agement prepared for this larger output that not a single item, quality, or refined mechanical practice will be sacrificed! STEARNS— The Ultimate Car The capacity of the big Stearns factories has been more than doubled. Immense new build- Four Cylinder Models | Tis °1595 and up "2 299) = and up ings of the most modern type have _ been equipped with every known labor-saving device and with automatic (motor driven) machinery for the manufacturing and handling of materials with the greatest ease and rapidity. equipment was _ especially designed to insure extreme ac- curacy. The F. B. Stearns Company as- sures the public that the big re- duction in prices will in no way affect those qualities which have given Stearns Sleeve-valve Motor Cars their enviable world-wide reputation. The four engine and chassis are exactly the same, except for improvements, as those Six Cylinder Models used in all Stearns Sleeve-valve four-cylinder models for the past several years and up to the present The six-cylinder engine also has improvements and refinements. The four engine has three-point suspension the same as the six-cylinder engine. For greater ease in handling, the wheelbase of the four is made 119 inches. « Owing to a recent increase in production-facilities, To Dealers: The F. B. Stearns Company, for the first time in six years, is able to increase its distribution. Dealers of high standing are invited to write for particulars of the Stearns Dealer Franchise. Your territory may be open. The F. B. Stearns Company, Cleveland, Ohio Stearns-Knight-Six Models and Prices Four and Five Passenger Touring . . . . . =. $2395 Seven Passenger Touring . 2495 Ceupe Brougham . . . . 3295 Sport Coupe ... . . 3150 Coupe, Sport Sedan, Seven Passenger Sedan. . . . (F. O. B. Factory) Stearns-Knight-Four Models and Prices Four and Five Passenger Touring - $1595 Coupe Brougham . . . . 1995 Sedan 8s ee ws O85 Sport Coupe . . . . . 1795 (F. O. B. Factory) comicbooks.com