Life, 1926-12-02 · page 70 of 81
Life — December 2, 1926 — page 70: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **gift subscription advertisement** disguised as seasonal humor. The "cartoon" features a dialogue between Santa Claus and the personified figure of *Life* magazine itself. **The Satire:** The page humorously positions *Life* magazine as Santa's essential helper—suggesting it solves his gift-giving problems by being universally appropriate for "the whole family." Santa praises the magazine for bringing "laughter and gaiety" year-round, comparing its lasting appeal to Wrigley's chewing gum (a contemporary brand reference). **The Sales Pitch:** The joke's real purpose is encouraging readers to give *Life* subscriptions as Christmas gifts. The coupon sections at bottom enable this. The tagline "LIFE for a friend means a friend for LIFE" is a play on words promoting the magazine's value. **Context for Modern Readers:** *Life* was a major American satirical weekly; gift subscriptions were common holiday presents. The ad assumes magazines were cherished family entertainment—a cultural practice largely obsolete today.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
who requests that Life be sent to pou every Ffitesday. I hope these copies will YL bea hag redid each week of the one who se “MERRY CHRISTMAS, LIFE!” “Merry Christmas, Santa Claus.” “I'm glad to see that you're helping me out again this year.” “LIFE is always ready to suppor’ a worthy cause (I almost said ‘Claus’).” “Well, I need support. People seem to think that it’s easy for me to select the presents that 1 distribute each Christmas. It isn’t. All stock- ings look alike to me, and I never know just what to put in them. But you, LIFE, simplify my problem enormously. You're always a welcome gift, for the whole family.” “Tl try not to blush, Santa.” “And there’s another good thing about you, LIFE. Like Mr. Wrigley’s gum, your flavor lasts. You bring laughter and gaiety and good cheer into the homes of your readers on Christmas . . ; Fill out the coupons bee Day, and you continue to do so throughout fess Ouh the tamer of the year. those friends to whom you wish to send LIFE “Remember my slogan, Santa—‘LIFE for a as an all-year Christ- . ; po mas present. A copy of friend means a friend for LIFE! LIFE'S Christmas by of “Don't worry about me, LIFE. I'll never designed by Charies Dang neglect to Obey That Impulse.” cach gift subscription. enclose $........for........subscriptions Please send LIFE Please send LIFE to LIFE to be sent in my name. for one year to for one year to . One Year, $5.00 (Canadian, $5.80; Foreign, 6.60) LIFE, 598 Madison Avenue, New York Ten Weeks, $1.00 (Canadian, $1.20; Foreign, $1.35) comicbooks.com