Life — December 30, 1926 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine New Year's Number, December 30, 1926 This is the cover of Life's New Year's issue celebrating the transition to 1927. The central image shows a cherub (representing the New Year) conducting an orchestra of figures blowing horns on the left side. The cherub wields a conductor's baton while standing over what appears to be a devil or imp figure at the bottom right—likely representing departing 1926. The joke plays on the classical "New Year baby" imagery, casting the incoming year as an angelic conductor bringing order and celebration, while symbolically dismissing the previous year as something mischievous or troublesome. The horns and festive atmosphere emphasize New Year's Eve revelry and optimism for the fresh start ahead.