Life, 1924-05-01 · page 3 of 40
Life — May 1, 1924 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily advertising**, not satire or political commentary. The main illustration is a Ben Wade pipe advertisement, not a cartoon with political meaning. The sketch shows what appears to be a social gathering of gentlemen in a parlor or club setting, smoking pipes. The accompanying text is a sales pitch emphasizing that Ben Wade pipes improve with age and use—they need "breaking in" like fine wine, developing a "deep glow" and rich patina over time. The advertisement includes distributors and dealers lists across North America. The small pipe product images and Hudson's Bay Tobacco branding at bottom reinforce this is straightforward commercial messaging aimed at pipe-smoking consumers, not satirical commentary on contemporary events or figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
From the first day on it’s an OM Pipe No man likes a new pipe. A new pipe is like new wine, harshand biting. It takes age, smoking, good tobacco... and patience... to make a new pipe old and sweet and mellow. But that’s talking about pipes in general—not about Ben Wades. A new Ben Wade is an old Ben Wade from the first day onward —as far as the smoking’s concerned. The Ben Wade needs no “break- ing in.” You will notice that the in- side of the bowl is light colored. That’sthe exclusive Ben Wade finish, the natural virgin finish. The pores of the fine, full seasoned briar are thoroughly opened—and kept open. Nothing to taste; nothing to“burn out.” You taste the full flavor of the tobacco you're smoking —and never the pipe. Your tongue, all primed for punishment, is happily surprised. And as you go on smoking, the Ben Wade takes on a rich deep glow likean old violin, like the satiny lustre of riding boots long wornand polished, the ancient glaze of Persian pottery, the gleam of smooth leather that binds rare books, Your Ben Wade pipe becomes a bit of a treasure to you—and you'r proud of it! HARGRAFT & SONS, 336%. t, Ben Wade, Ld. V < HUDSON'S HAY TOBACCO Where to Ben Wade and Hudson’ Tobacco, Churchi Cigarettes Hargr: fs Partial List of Dealers (Renal art N.Y.—R. J. Seidenbere lil Anderson, Thor C Blackstone H. Aibert comicbooks.com