Life, 1927-07-14 · page 20 of 40
Life — July 14, 1927 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **retrospective of illustrator Coles Phillips' work** for *Life* magazine, published around 1880 (likely the issue date or a commemorative feature). The page showcases Phillips' distinctive illustration style across several *Life* covers and features, dating from 1909-1927. The accompanying text explains that Phillips died on June 13 and had been a loyal contributor to the magazine. It recounts his origin story: after working an unsatisfying job in Ohio, he moved to New York in 1907 determined to be an artist, produced one drawing, and showed it to *Life*'s editor John Ames Mitchell, who "recognized at once the enormous talent." The individual illustrations demonstrate Phillips' **signature aesthetic**: elegant, fashionably-dressed figures (primarily women) in stylized poses, often using bold negative space and Art Deco-influenced composition. These were characteristic of early 20th-century magazine illustration and helped define the visual language of *Life* during this era. This is essentially a **tribute/memorial page** celebrating a significant contributor to the publication.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TRAVEL NUMBER “RETWEEN YOU AND ME 1pril 7, 1927) AND THE LAMP post” (December 2, 1909) Culps —— 1880 Wi! N Coles Phillips died, on June 13, Lire lost th a true and loyal friend....Phillips first worked for fit the American Radiator Co. in Springfield, Ohio, his — cc home town; but steam heat was not for him, and in 1907 he boldly journeyed to New York, deter- mined to be an artist. After several months of hard labor, he produced one drawing and carried it to the office of Lire. John Ames Mitchell looked at it and recognized at once the enormous talent “LONG DISTANCE MAKES TIE HEART GROW FONDER™ “Memonins oF "83" “DEAR OR DEAREST” (The 2,000th issue “WORKING TO BE (September 22, 1910) of Lire, March 8, 1921 (One of Coles Phillips’ firs January 16, comicbooks.com