Life, 1926-05-20 · page 2 of 44
Life — May 20, 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 pens and pencils, positioned as graduation gifts. The ad targets gift-buyers with the headline "Give this Reward to Graduates," marketing the Parker Duofold Pen and Pencil Duette as ideal commencement presents. The decorative flying birds are purely ornamental. The copy emphasizes practical features: the pen's 25-year point guarantee, hand-size grip, and large ink capacity; the pencil's "Non-Clog Feed" mechanism. It notes Parker products are bestsellers (435% sales increase mentioned) and available in attractive finishes like Rich Black and Gold or lacquered options. The boxed product image at bottom shows the pen-and-pencil set in its presentation case. This is period advertising, circa early-to-mid 20th century, with no satirical intent.
📄 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 W&scakiert TANAGER Give this Reward to Graduates The Parker “Duofold Pen and Pencil Duette The most Popular Gift in the Stores Today for Birthdays, Weddings, Leave-takings and Commencement HE coming of vacation suggests to America that soon there'll be much writing home to do, And all who carry along the well-filled Parker Duofold Pen and Pencil will be the envy of those who are obliged to search at every stop for pen and ink—not the easiest of things to find in the woods, or at the lakes and seashore. Therefore, gift-buying at this sea- son naturally concentrates on these handsome Parker Duofold Duettes, The Pen with point guaranteed 25 years if not misused, restful Hand-size Grip, and extra large ) ink capacity. The Pencil with Non-Clog Feed The Panxen New YORK + CWICAGO * ATLANTA © 5 Janesvitie, so easily filled by slipping ina new lead at the Tip—you need never take out the “insides.” It was Parker's idea that the world would richly reward who- ever would produce such a writing team. And so it has proved —Par- ker sales in the past 4 years have increased 435%. People bought more than eight million dollars worth of Parkers last year alone. This year they're in higher popu- larity than ever. Go and see the bright arrays of Parker Duofolds at all good pen and pencil counters. Rich Black and Gold or Black-tipped Lacquer- red—so handsome to own and hard to mislay. 3. CANADA * LONDON, ENGLAND Parke Duofold renmas tee OF x6 vean point } Duette PENCIL TURNS LEAD OUT AND IN Parker Duofold Dustte: Over-size—Pen. $7; Pencil, $4: Ju —Pen, $5; Pencil. $3.50; Lady size—Pen, $8; Pencil. $3, Sat Gift Case de luxe included with sets comicbooks.com