Life — September 22, 1927 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is **not a political cartoon or satire**—it's a **straightforward advertisement** for Gorham sterling silver, a prominent American silverware manufacturer. The page showcases a Sterling Jacobean Coffee Service (teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, and serving plate) and features a photograph of Thomas H. Yates, identified as one of Gorham's master craftsmen with 26 years of experience. The ad emphasizes that these products represent exceptional handcrafted quality, not mass production. The text argues that despite modern science, skilled artisanship remains irreplaceable—that Gorham's products cost no more than ordinary silverware despite their superior craftsmanship. This is a period advertisement highlighting American manufacturing excellence and the value of specialized labor.