Life, 1926-07-01 · page 29 of 40
Life — July 1, 1926 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Cadillac automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The page appears from *Life* magazine's advertising section (page 27). The ad promotes the new Cadillac by claiming it represents a philosophical shift: people are no longer buying cars merely for transportation, but for the *experience* and *status* they provide. The accompanying sketch shows a luxurious car near an elegant building, emphasizing upscale lifestyle. The text's ironic tone—describing the "new idea" that a Cadillac "is always a Cadillac" (meaning its superior quality justifies premium pricing)—may have subtle satirical undertones about American consumerism and aspirational buying. However, this appears to be the ad's own rhetorical strategy rather than *Life* magazine satirizing Cadillac. The starting price of $2,995 (1920s dollars) positioned it as a luxury good for the wealthy. The "Body by Fisher" credit indicates coachwork craftsmanship.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life 27 The New Idea that is Abroad in the Land Unprecedented Thousands Now Turning to the New Cadillac for the Only Thing That Really Counts What is this thing which is making new uncertain and miserable and costly. thousands turn to the new, go-degree, eight- CW, It is a widespread awakening to the realiza- cylinder Cadillac and registering sales records P 8 tion that there is no substitute for the satis- 8 ) 0 unprecedented even in Cadillac history. fied thoughts which Cadillac engenders—for 4 It is people’s minds and people’s pocket- the zestful, restful miles and the easeful ty books—it is the different kind of days and hours, days, weeks and months—for the ° weeks and different kind ofhoursand months _ only worth-while things in motoring and the which people enjoy in the new Cadillac— things which alone spell value. it is a turning away from the old idea that Cadillac is entering upon a new era of ex- ii any sort of motor transportation will do to pansion and appreciation for the quite simple i the sounder idea that the kind of transpor- reason that more people than ever before tation is the only thing that really counts. have come to realize that while a motor car ! It is a reaction and a revulsion away from may be only a motor car, a Cadillac is ' the type of motoring which made the miles always a Cadillac. Priced from $2995 upward, f.v.b. Detroit DECREE CADILLAC DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION Body oy Fisher w comicbooks.com