Life, 1928-02-23 · page 3 of 35
Life — February 23, 1928 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **primarily an advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It's a 1928 Lee Tire & Rubber Company ad for their "Shoulderhill" tire brand. The ad uses patriotic imagery—showing a car parked before the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.—to associate Lee tires with American values. The text draws a parallel between the character of Washington and Lincoln and the character of American business, arguing that quality products express national ideals. The actual "joke" or selling point is modest: Lee tires are reliable and economical ("Cost no more to buy ~ much less to run"). The patriotic framing attempts to make tire quality seem morally significant, appealing to consumers' sense of supporting authentic American enterprise. This is straightforward commercial persuasion dressed in nationalist rhetoric, typical of 1920s advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ON TIRES BY Eonshohocken = n February we ay tribute to two great Americans— Washington and Lincoln. at they did was an expression of what they were. Brearlecs, high principled, unselfish, they foug! t for the right because right insures permanence and happiness. Sound American business is built on character too. There are many manu- facturers whose product is an expression of what they are; who put quality above everything else; whose success and permanency rest with the greatest umpire in the world—you, the public. Lee of Conshohocken began making rubber goods forty-four years ago. hen tires came we made tires. But always, then and now, each single unit must measure up to ourown ideals of quality. ‘Weare our own severest critic; what passes our test will surely survive yours. Weare not enormous producers; we shall grow in volume as your appreci- ation and demand grow for goods made our way. We rest our right to LEE Shoulderbilt te other makes of henry duty balloons 5 : : Compared larger success on the satisfaction you are sure to get in our product. you will find the bilt bigger, taller = frente service ta you mnt be obvious Lee Tire & Rubber Company, Conshohocken, Pa, COST NO MORE TO BUY ~ MUCH LESS TO RUN comicbooks.com