Life, 1927-09-22 · page 2 of 40
Life — September 22, 1927 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising, not satire**. It's a full-page ad for the Stearns-Knight automobile from the F.B. Stearns Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The only cartoon element is the illustration at top showing two horses and riders jumping a fence—a visual metaphor comparing the car's performance to equestrian excellence. The text claims the Stearns-Knight meets "the supreme test" of steeplechase jumping, positioning it as the most demanding automotive challenge. The ad emphasizes luxury and performance: 85 mph speed, 55-second acceleration, 100 horsepower. It's pitched as "America's most Luxurious Motor Car" available in 17 body styles, priced from $3,250 upward—targeting wealthy buyers in the 1920s-30s era. This reflects period advertising strategy: associating automobiles with aristocratic sports and prestige.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
S~KNIGHT The supreme test Of all the steeplechase, the water jump demands the most of both horse and rider. Only a thorough- bred makes the grade consistently « . « The new Stearns-Knight is a thoroughbred —aleys seedy for | any test the person at the wheel ray devises The new standards of fine performance 85 miles an hour in high - - 55 in second: - 100 horsepower 4 Surpassing every standard of fine performance — meeting every ideal of beauty—the new Stearns-Knight rides a sure, trium- phant road to greater distinction — greater luxury. Built for years of pleasant, trouble-free service — responsive to the end of the last far mile. As sure and swift—as noise- r less, efficient and powerful as on the first day you drove it. The new Stearns-Knight is now available in 17 body styles — a complete line of six and eight-cylinder models. Prices range from $3250 upward, at Cleveland. Stearns-Knight cAmericas most_Lururious Zfolor Car STEARNS COMPANY comicbooks.com j