Life, 1928-01-19 · page 3 of 38
Life — January 19, 1928 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **tourism advertisement**, not political satire. The Cuban National Tourist Commission is promoting Havana as a vacation destination to American readers in 1928. The page emphasizes Havana's appeal: wealthy sophistication, modern amenities (hotels, theaters, casinos), and sporting activities (golf, polo, jai-alai). It highlights the contrast between "quaint medieval scenes" and "modern life," suggesting exotic Old World charm accessible to American tourists. The decorative illustrations show tropical elements (palm trees, sailing ships, jai-alai player) and a grand colonial building. The tagline "Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida" emphasizes accessibility. The "Commerce and Investment" section targets American business interests, promoting commercial opportunities on the island. This reflects pre-Revolution Cuba's economic integration with the United States.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
COME TO uba Exquisite Jsle of Delight AVANA...wealthy, gay, sophisticated... quaint medieval scenes and customs mingling strangely with modern life and prog- ress...stately homes, great hotels, smart shops «.theatres, cafes, the opera...the elite of the world gathered nightly—dining, dancing, woo- ing the Goddess of Chance—thronging the beautiful Casino in a scene of brilliance and luxury. wba ew Golf, tennis, polo, hunting...deep sea fishing, eae ie swimming, yachting...horse racing at famous is made pleasant by Oriental Park...the thrilling jai-alai, fastest of the cool rade winds. games...every sport doubly delightful in the pevatie durtag soo8 entrancing tropical surroundings. was 7114 dégrees.) New sights...new experiences on every hand «romantic, old world atmosphere...soft ca- dences of foreign tongues...and, over all, the spontaneous gayety and freedom from restric- tion that marks the joyous Latin scheme of life. See the Isle of Pines at its loveliest...the wondrous Valley of Yumuri...Matanzas Prov- ince... Valley of Vinales...the Province of Pinar del Rio! Come and ENJOY yourself...unre- strained...during Carnival season. Frequent sailings for Havana from Jai-Alai, Cuba's Miami, Tampa and Key West. National Sport. For complete information apply to CUBAN NATIONAL TOURIST COMMISSION Sevilla Biltmore Hotel, Havana, Cuba COMMERCE AND INVESTMENT Cuba offers splendid opportunities for invest- mentand commerce. The demand for Amer- ican merchandise is growing rapidly, while the stability and increasing development of industry and agriculture within the island commend it to the attention of the capitalist. CUBA IS ONLY 90 MILES FROM FLORIDA SRE eS a Pn PS SN PR PO PE eS LIFE: Published Weekly by Life Pub. Co., 08 Madison Ave., N. Y., N.Y. Subseri $5.00. Vol. 91, Ne. 2359. Jan. 19, 1928. Ent’d as 2ad Class Matter, June 8, 1883, at New York Post Ofce, under act of Marck 3, 1879. Printed in U.S. A. Ent'd as 2nd Clase Matter at the Post Office Dept., Canada. Copyright 1928, Life Pub. Co., ia U.S, England and British Possessions. comicbooks.com