Life, 1925-12-10 · page 34 of 36
Life — December 10, 1925 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **Christmas gift advertisement** for the newly established Harper's Magazine, rather than political satire. The ad promotes Harper's as an ideal holiday subscription gift by suggesting it appeals to diverse recipients—intellectuals, fathers seeking serious commentary on American life, sophisticated aunts, and younger intellectuals. It references real contemporary contributors like Bertrand Russell, Aldous Huxley, and Christopher Morley. The December issue's contents reveal the magazine's intellectual focus: articles on modern marriage, Paderewski, prayer, and British economic policy ("England and the Dole"). The humor is gentle rather than satirical—the ad acknowledges Harper's isn't suitable for everyone (notably joking that the laundress would prefer a blouse, the baby isn't ready for sophisticated essays, and the dog would just make a mess of it). The "three-fourths of your Christmas shopping done in five minutes" pitch emphasizes convenience and sophistication as marketing angles for this re-established publication.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
32 : LIFE .- —ee: aoe Three-fourths of Your ze Christmas Shopping Done in Five Minutes TODAY! Why not, this year, dispense with all las minute shopping and give yourself the luxury of a leisurely, unharassed (and unharassing) merry Christmas, inci- dentally giving your friends what they will like above all things? We are not making extravagant claims for Harpers Magazine as the perfect uni- versal Christmas gift. Several on your list, frankly, won't be interested in it. Ingeborg, the new laundress, will doubtless get more real comfort out of a serviceable blouse; the baby is a little young for some of the articles—especially Rebecca West; and Fido would only worry it and make a mess. BUT, the great majority will find more to amuse and enliven them in 12 monthly visits of Harpers than in any other gift you could present Your father will find food for thought The New in the unconventional, clear sighted dis- cussions on American life by Duncan Aikman, Charles Merz, Bertrand Russell. Aunt Valerie, clothes and sparkling conversation, con- fesses that like all of the smart people she knows, she is finding the new Horners ine dispensable for the sophisticated, enquir- ing mind. For Kenneth, one of the younger in- tellectuals, it is the obvious choice. Like- wise, for Honoria. These two follow, with lively comment, the stories of Chris- topher Morl Aldous Huxley, Van Loon, and the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Moreover, there are countless features which are absorbing to all; Dr. Fosdick's monthly department, “Religion and life,” ion from America and Eng: land, points of view from and about Europe, and brilliant biography and history. Five minutes spent right now at your desk, and the major part of your Christ- mas shopping is done, the gifts all wrapped and mailed—a’not inconsider- able item! And to make it even easier, we are giving a special holiday price of $3.00 for every gift subscription, if you order more than one. Otherwise, the usual rate of $4.00 year holds. Send us the coupon below, and we will enter the subscrip- tions to begin at the proper time. More- over, we send a cheerful Christmas card with your good wishes to your friends to announce the magazine's arrival. SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER that lady of dazzling Harpers Magazine is Established! IROM the moment its vivid cover first appeared, the new Harpers has been phenomenally successful. As the first number—September—dis- appeared with gratifying rapidity from the newsstands hundreds of letters, spontaneous and enthusiastic, flooded the editorial offices. Then the October number appeared—and the November—-more than fulfilling the bright promise of September, and the letters began to say, “You've done it! You're getting out numbers each one better than the last.” Meanwhile the newsstands sales and new subscriptions continue to mount. And in all circles where educated Americans gather, where talk is spirited and fearless, Harpers Magazine is once more acclaimed as the leading magazine of American thought. The December Number Contains MODERN MARRIAGE by Dr. Beatrice M. Hinkle PADEREWSKI, THE PARADOX OF EUROPE by Colonel Edward M. House CONCERNING PRAYER by Dr. Harry E. Fosdick ENGLAND AND THE DOLE by A. G. Gardiner LIVING ON THE RAGGED EDGE ‘Anonymous SLUMBERERS OF THE SURGE by William Beebe COLONIAL HISTORY DEBUNKED Harold W. Faulkner THUNDER ON THE LEFT, PART IV by Christopher Morley PORTRAIT OF A RED FACED GENERAL by Philip Guedalla THE HORRORS OF WASHINGTON by H. G. Duight AMERICA’S POLITICAL APATHY by Frank R. Kent CHRISTMAS EVE by Walter de la Mare STORIES: Wilbur Daniel Steele, Gordon Arthur Smith, Ada Jack Carver Departments: The Editor's Easy Chair—The Lion's Mouth—Personal and Otherwise Among the New Books—In the Financial World. Harpers MAGAZINE PRPRPPRRPRRRRRRRRRRRE USM TERNINAL PRINTING CORPORATION, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK HARPERS MAG. 49 Esa 53d Str My Name and Address _ aa aren celisis Lin epee neninalieamnapinidiehen tio (Attach this coupon to a lit of your own ni ce.) PRRRRRRR comicbooks.com