Life, 1927-06-16 · page 7 of 34
Life — June 16, 1927 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page celebrates Charles Lindbergh's 1927 transatlantic flight. The illustration shows three figures: two women flanking a man in aviation gear in the center, set against a starry background. The poem by Oliver Herford praises "the Boy"—Columbia's brave son—as "Prince of the Air" and the "Spirit of Saint Louis, King of France." The satire likely mocks the intense public adulation surrounding Lindbergh's achievement. By framing him as royalty and dressing the female figures allegorically (possibly representing different nations or virtues), the cartoonist gently ridicules the hero-worship and romantic idealization that made Lindbergh a celebrity sensation. The tone is affectionate rather than harsh—typical of Life's sophisticated satirical approach to contemporary events.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Our ‘Boy Q NGS and the Boy I sing, who, braving Fate Wings and the Boy! Companions linked as one. And the tempestuous Sea God's ancient hate, Prince of the Air, Columbia's bravest son, Three thousand miles on wings unswerving sped Modest as brave—the glory of his deed Thro’ ice-barbed winds, o’er moving mountains dread, Joyously sharing with his wingéd steed, And to the stricken watchers on the shore Named for a gallant Knight—by happy chance, Of sorrowing France, Columbia’s message bore. The Spirit of Saint Louis, King of France. Qliver Herford. comicbooks.com