Life, 1926-02-25 · page 2 of 36
Life — February 25, 1926 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire page**—it's a straightforward **advertisement for Parker Duofold fountain pens** from the early 20th century. The ad targets gift-giving, particularly aimed at women shopping for men. It argues that selecting a pen for a man is easier than choosing neckties, since men have "almost unanimous" preference for the Parker Duofold in black-tipped lacquer-red (the brand's signature color combination). The copy emphasizes masculine qualities—the pen is "hard to mislay" and appeals to men's practical preferences for smooth writing and large ink capacity. The ad presents this color choice as definitively masculine, reassuring female gift-buyers that they cannot go wrong with this selection. This reflects period advertising that assigned colors and products rigid gender associations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
RIVALS THE BEAUTY OF THE SCARLET TANACER Red and Black Color Combination Reg. Trade Mark U.S. Pat. Office Th! ~, § «¢ & (31> ow, 3 < = g a Ribbon $1 Extra Black-tipped Lacquer-red —the color Men Choose when they buy their Own Pens Handsome to carry—Hard to mislay Ladies, please take note: T'S a great deal easier to select a pen for a man than, for in- a necktie. For men’s ideas in neckwear are vastly » but in pens their choice is almost unanimous, Note what the great majority carries—the black-tipped lacquer-red —the Parker Duofold color combination trade mark that flashes the eye a happy reminder if a man starts to leave his pen behind. Of course the 25-year smooth-gliding point also has much to do with men's preference for the Parker Duofold. Likewise the manly Hand-size Grip, Over-size Ink Capacity, Free- Swinging Balance, and Invisible Filler—out of harm's way. Whatever it is that men most prize in the Parker, of one thing the ladies may be sure—Black-tipped Lacquer-red is a man’s own choice of color, just as Parker Duofold is his choice of pens. Good pen counters wouldn't be without it—stop at the nearest. j Duofold Pencils to match the Pens Lady Duofold. $3; Over-size J1., $3.50," Big Brother Over-size, $4 With The // 25 Year Point THE PARKER PEN COMPANY +-JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN NEW YORK + CHICAGO + SAN FRANCISCO + THE PARKER FOUNTAIN PEN CO., LIMITED, TORONTO, CANADA + THE PARKER PEN COMPANY, LIMITED, BUSM MOUSE, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. us comicbooks.com | t