Life, 1927-03-03 · page 2 of 35
Life — March 3, 1927 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily an advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes Sheaffer's "Lifetime" fountain pen and Titan pencil. The ad uses the phrase "a thing of beauty is a joy forever" (from Keats) to market the pen's durability and lifetime guarantee. The ornate decorative border and elegant presentation of writing instruments reflect early 20th-century advertising aesthetics. The small circular white dot in the upper right identifies the pen's lifetime guarantee. Text emphasizes the pen "built to last a lifetime" with unconditional service, positioning it as a premium product. **No political figures or satire are present.** This is straightforward product advertising from the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company (Fort Madison, Iowa), typical of Life magazine's commercial content during this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Here’s proof that “a thing of beauty is a joy forever” This remarkable fountain pen has made unnumbered thousands of brand new fountain pen users. It was a pioneer in fountain pen beauty. It is a premier in fountain pen performance. Built to last a lifetime, it is Zuaranteed, not only against imperfections, but to dive unqualified high service. And that means that it must withstand hard usage and always be in writin? trim. The maker guarantees to keep it so—without any cost whatsoever to the owner—for a lifetime. Together with its excellent twin, the Titan pencil, it has swept America with unprecedented success. “Lifetime®” pen in green or black, $8.75, Ladies’, $7.50— pencil, $4.25 At better stores everywhere SHEAFFER'S PENS*PENCILS*SKR 'W. A. SHEAFFER PEN COMPANY - FORT MADISON, IOWA NEW YORK - 80 FIFTH AVENUE - LONDON — 199 REGENT STREET WELLINGTON. NEW ZEALAND — 8% MANNERS STREET SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - 160 GEORGE STREET, WEST Reg. U.8. Pat. OF Identify the Lifetime pen by this white dot eee! 2 Fa f comicbooks.com