Life, 1925-06-04 · page 43 of 44
Life — June 4, 1925 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **tire advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Fisk Red-Top tires by presenting testimonials from satisfied customers across multiple states (Oklahoma, Kentucky, Nebraska, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Colorado, New York, Ohio, and Washington). The small cartoon in the upper right—showing a figure examining a tire with text "Time to Re-tire / Get a Fisk"—is a visual pun playing on the word "retire." The advertisement's strategy emphasizes durability under harsh conditions ("where roads are rough or loads are heavy"), citing real user experiences. References to "Fords" suggest these were common vehicles of the era. The claimed statistics (450% sales increase, tires outlasting competitors) and geographic diversity of testimonials aim to establish credibility and nationwide popularity. This reflects early-20th-century advertising tactics relying on customer endorsements rather than technical specifications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FUSK A ‘Tire of Greai Repute § aw & RED-T Time to Re-tire Get a Fish Where roads are rough or loads are heavy The extra ply, the extra thick and extra tough red tread have brought fame to the Fisk Red-Top Tire As others tell the story “I have this day taken off my car one Red-Top Wisc. “Red-Tops are giving better mileage and better tire I have run 3 years, 1 month, 6 days. I have satisfaction than any other tires sold in this a country practice.” territory.” “I have known the Red-Top to outlast two and in “The roads are very bad here. I have sol . a, a one or two instances three of other makes of tires."” Fisk Red-Tops for over two years without one complaint. “Our Sales on Fisk Red-Top tires have increased “We have been in the tire business for 14 years 450%. They have a tremendous repeat value and the best friend-getter we ever handled is the “We find their popularity constantly gaining and Fisk Red-Top. as you look around the city it looks as though they lead all others.” “Three and one-half years ago I bought a Red-Top tire. I have run it on three different Fords and + “Our sales records tell us one Red-Top sells am running it yet."” another.” The Fisk Red-Top is made in the following sizes 30x3 30x3%2 32x42 30x5 33x5 a aT comicbooks.com