Life, 1927-10-13 · page 2 of 44
Life — October 13, 1927 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire page** — it's a **full-page advertisement for Sheaffer's fountain pens and pencils**, likely from the early-to-mid 20th century. The ad uses a tongue-in-cheek rhetorical question ("Are you carrying a little white dot on your fountain-pen?") to market the Lifetime pen. The "white dot" refers to a quality mark on the pen's clip, presented as a status symbol indicating the owner purchased "the highest priced pen made." The advertisement appeals to **class consciousness and materialism**, suggesting the pen signals good taste, reliability, and financial success. The ornate decorative border reinforces luxury messaging. Pricing information and distribution details for multiple locations (Fort Madison, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, etc.) indicate this was a nationally distributed luxury brand advertisement rather than editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
UPS, oruive ey tS tai Are you carrying a little white dot on your fountain-pen? The little white dot, the telltale white dot, is visual evidence of the fact that you have been wise enough to buy the highest priced pen made, because you could be satisfied with nothing, less than the best. It is the mark of distinction in pendom. It means for you flawless writin} guaranteed unconditionally for a lifetime. It symbolizes your Sood taste for beautiful things and enduring. The Lifetime® pen costs more, is worth more. It is the pen that spends most days in the writing, hand and least in the repair shop. And the sturdy Titan pencil is its worthy companion, At better stores everywhere HEAFFER’S PENS* PENCILS: SKR SHEAFFER PEN COMPANY - FORT MADISON. IOWA, U v York Chicaho Reg. U.S. Pat. Of, sie” Gamat ane comicbooks.co