Life, 1925-05-14 · page 31 of 40
Life — May 14, 1925 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **product advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes the Elco Forty-five, a luxury motorboat priced at $12,850 (substantial money in the 1920s). The left image shows a classical female figure (likely representing leisure or freedom) with arm raised triumphantly near a mailbox—symbolizing escape from urban life and business obligations. The adjacent boat photograph displays the actual product. The ad's pitch targets affluent professionals: you can live aboard near your office, commute to work, then enjoy evening cruises and dinners on the boat. This appeals to wealthy businessmen seeking respite from city constraints while maintaining professional responsibilities. The classical statue is purely decorative, evoking aspirational leisure rather than satirizing anything. The overall message is straightforward marketing: the Elco Forty-five promises freedom, comfort, and prestige for the wealthy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Enjoy a care-free summer on an Elco Forty-five! FREE from the expense and promiscuity of hotels, from the dust and danger of crowded roads, you can voyage wherever fancy dictates; take long runs up or down the coast; rest and swim in sheltered coves; eat and sleep and enjoy life as you never have before! Business need not interfere with your pleasure—within a few miles of your office there are quiet harbors where you can live aboard the Forty-five,and commute to town. In the evening, take a moonlight run out to the lightship; up the river; across the lake. Have dinner on board, and come back refreshed and ready for tomorrow's business. The Elco Forty-five is a real home afloat for six people; in the forward cabin are four comfortable berths and lava- tory, and aft there is a double stateroom with lavatory. The galley is as large and well-equipped as many an apartment itchen. The broad decks are ideal for lounging, dancing or an afternoon of bridge. If you wish, your enjoyment of the Forty-five can begin tomorrow! Elco standardized construction makes immediate delivery possible and brings cost within your reach—and Elco service assures your permanent satisfaction. The yacht- ing season has begun —come to Port Elco and inspect the Forty-five just as she will be delivered to you—or write atalog L. Correspondence should be addressed to: PORT ELCO—Division of Sales and Exhibit Price $ afloat at 247 Park Avenue and 107 East 46th Street 12,850 s. The roomy forward eabin and luxurious stateroom will accommodate a party of six; the for big SO LLP. engine gives 12 miles per hour, NJ Telephone Ashland 5650 NEW YORK CITY yonne,N.J. THE ELCO WORKS, BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY Established 1892 Other Elco Models are: The Twenty-six, $1,950; the Veedette, $4,850; the Cruis: ette, $5,350; the Fifty-six, $24,500. Instead of purchasing a boat out of capi- tal, many people prefer to avail them- selves of the Elco deferred payment plan. comicbooks.com