Life, 1927-04-07 · page 39 of 59
Life — April 7, 1927 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Boyle Luggage, a company established in 1860, emphasizing luxury and exclusivity. The advertisement uses aspirational imagery—a gentleman traveler with a parasol and briefcase—to appeal to wealthy consumers ("the exclusive few") who travel by yacht or private car. The humor is gentle and indirect: the phrase "Travels with Smart People" plays on the idea that using this luggage signals sophistication and intelligence. The main innovation being advertised is the **Sesamee Lock**, a combination lock requiring no key—three small wheels that the owner sets in a private combination. This was a genuine technological advancement for the era, offering security without the vulnerability of a physical key. There is **no political cartoon or satire here**—just a period advertisement using class aspiration and wit to market premium luggage to affluent readers of Life magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Boyle Lug sage Travels with Smart People - TT... aboard yachts = |~_________ with the Sesamee Lock, the or tucked in private cars, modern lock that needs no key. Boyle Luggage is Equipped with Boyle Luggage is opened in SESAMEE Instead, it has three small The Modern Lock the jaunting places of the ex- That NeedsiNo Key wheels, placed at right angles clusive few. Ina great variety of pieces, all plus in a metal plate, which are easily set in the ultra in every detail, this luggage has been accu- _owner’s private combination. To lock and unlock mulating honors since 1860. Its worth entirely his luggage, instantly, he simply turns the wheels. transcends value. Boyle Luggage is now equipped John Boyle & Co., Inc., New York—St. Louis. MAKERS OF LUGGAGE AND AWNING MATERIALS SINCE 1860 comicbooks.com