Life — April 28, 1927 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Sheaffer Pens Advertisement This is **not a political cartoon**, but rather a **vintage advertisement** for Sheaffer fountain pen desk sets, likely from the early-to-mid 20th century. The page features an ornate, decorative border framing a product display. The central image shows a black desk set with two fountain pens mounted at a 45-degree angle in a ratchet-lock mechanism. The advertisement emphasizes the desk set's practicality—it fits in drawers or rolls up with roll-top desks—and highlights Sheaffer's pioneering position in desk-set manufacturing. The copy notes pricing ranging from $5 to $100, positioning Sheaffer as the market leader based on "mastery and leadership." This is straightforward commercial advertising, not satire.