Life, 1927-12-22 · page 35 of 36
Life — December 22, 1927 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon or satire** — it's a straightforward **advertisement for Waterman's fountain pens**, priced at $7.00. The page promotes the "Number Seven" model by explaining how colored bands on pen holders indicate different nib types (fine, broad, stub, flexible, stiff). The ad's pitch: selecting the right pen point requires only a glance at the color-coded band, making the choice foolproof. Six pens are displayed to showcase the variety. The messaging emphasizes quality ("perpetual pen service") and encourages potential buyers to visit merchants for demonstration, backed by Waterman's century-old reputation (guaranteed "since 1883 and until 1983"). This is typical early-20th-century advertising copy — informative, reassuring, and emphasizing consumer convenience through simple visual systems. No political or satirical content is present.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OfW). have solved the problem of pen point selec- tion. The color of the band on the holder tells the whole story. Youcan now select with confidence exactly the pen point best writing requires. A fine, broad, stub, flexible or stiff point may be selected at a glance. You can’t go wrong. The merchant who sells Waterman’s will be glad to demonstrate. He and we want you to be perfectly pleased. Ask to See Waterman’s Number Seven Try all six pen points. Select the one that suits you best. When you buy a Waterman’s you buy perpetual pen service. It will pay you to spenda few minutes in selecting ex- actly the pen you should have. Guaranteed since 1883 and until 1983 —one hundred years of pen service LE. Waterman Company 191 Broadway, New York Crease Bese Seo Frencece —— Mentmal NGumber Seven Made — comicbooks.com