Life, 1926-08-12 · page 2 of 36
Life — August 12, 1926 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a satirical cartoon page** but rather a **vintage advertisement** for Parker Duofold fountain pen desk sets, likely from the 1920s-1930s based on the styling and typography. The ad responds to a consumer demand: "Give us a Fountain Pen Desk Set in which the pens will lie Flat!" Parker's solution features a ball-and-socket holder mechanism allowing pens to rest horizontally while remaining upright in the holder. The copy emphasizes practical benefits: non-breakable barrels, self-adjusting tension, and a 25-year guarantee. Multiple desk set configurations are displayed at bottom with price variations. This is commercial marketing, not satire—no political commentary or social critique is present. The page functions as a product catalog page.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Give usa [Fountain Pen Desk Set in which #the Pens will lie Flat!” Ball-and-Socket Action an exclusive Parker idea enables you to lay pen flat on the base within the bolder, of tilt it in any direction that ia handiest. This cane pot be done with any other Fountain Pen Desk Set, Duofold Jr. pen com- plete, $10.00, ie NTS , and $3.40, The World demanded—Parker responded And better still—with Parker Duofold Pens 25-year Points—Non-Breakable Barrels Parker Fountain Pen Desk Sets with ball-and-socket holders are un- like any you've ever seen. The pens not only stand upright, but also tilt, and lie flat. For the ball- and-socket holder moves from hori- zontal to vertical. Also in all direc- tions, Thus no accidental blow can harm the pen or tip over the set, as when pens are held rigidly upright. The Ball-and-Socket Desk Set Holder isa Parker creation. Its action issmooth;its tension is self-adjusting. And because the pens will lie flat,you can slip the Parker Set in a drawer at the close of day and lock it up. Tt lets you forever part company with old-style pens and spilly ink- wells. In their place, this rich glass base with one or two Parker Duofold Fountain Pens filled with ink ever at hand in theirball-and-socket holders. Pens with Non-breakable“Perma- nite” Barrels and Points guaranteed for 25 years, not only for mechanical perfection, but for wear! See these improved Desk Sets at the nearest pen counter. Write us if no dealer is handy. Parker Duofold Pencilsto match the Pens: Lady Duofold. $3; Over-size Jr., $3.50; “Big Brother" Over-size, $4 The PARKER PEN COMPANY, JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN + OFFICES AND SUBSIDIARIES: NEW YORK * CHICAGO * ATLANTA * DALLAS * SAN FRANCISCO * TORONTO, CANADA * LONDON, ENGLAND, F-3-13— Double Oval Base, Carrara plate glass. 2 Parker Duo- fold Jr. pens, 1 red and black, 1 plain black, ‘complete, $31.00, F--17— with, $55.00, E-3-13— Double base, Carrare lass. 2 Pi E-7-17— Same base with 2 Pi Same base Parker Over- size Duofold pens, arKker ‘Duofold — “<< lategtass base with red biack Parker Puofeld Jr. pea, complete, D-7—Same base with Parker Over-size Duofold pen, $19.00. ker Over -sise Duofold Peas, Pick your Parker Pen from the dealer's pen ease—any point or color—and he'll change it over to a Desk Pen in a twinkling. This can be done with the Par- ker Pen only, Desk Sets Attractive Gift Box comes with all Parker Sets comicbooks.com 8c)