Life, 1928-03-01 · page 40 of 42
Life — March 1, 1928 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not a political cartoon but a **full-page advertisement** for Gorham silverware, a major American manufacturer. The "Fairfax" pattern shown is a sterling silver spoon design inspired by Colonial Georgian furniture design. The ad appeals to early 20th-century consumer taste by marketing "authentic Colonial" aesthetics as timeless and sophisticated—the text claims the pattern appears in "more fine homes than any other sterling silver pattern in the world." The Colonial Revival style was fashionable among affluent Americans during this era. The large spoon illustration dominates the layout, with pricing for matching pieces (teaspoons, dinner knives, forks). At bottom, smaller utensils from competing Gorham patterns are displayed. The tagline emphasizes product variety: 27 patterns available to match any decorative preference. This represents aspirational marketing directed at middle- to upper-class households seeking prestigious tableware aligned with period revival aesthetics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Gi. 4 From a lovely Colonial chair, the designer of Fairfax drew his inspiration for this delightful pattern. A design of such rare charm that it has found its place in more fine homes than any other sterling silver pattern in the world. With its sharply contrasted planes and ex- quisite simplicity, Fairfax makes an immediate appeal to the lover of the authentic Colonial mood, It perpetuates in enduring sterling an artistic motif that has lived A xX Tnspi red by a Quaint Colonial Chair turies. Passing time and fads of the moment will not dim its beauty. Fairfax is Colonial Georgian in character. It finds ready harmony with those Colonial decorations so much in vogue today. During March leading jewelers are mak- ing special Fairfax exhibits, showing complete dinner and tea sets. Yet it is only one of many Gorham productions your jeweler will gladly show you. (Fairfax teaspoons, $7.50 for six. Dinner knives, $22 for six. and flourished for cen- GORH A M Dinner forks, $28.50 for six.) PROVIDENCE, R. I. NEW YORK, N.Y MEMBER OF THE STERLING SILVERSMITHS GUILD OF AMERICA “Whatever your taste—whatever your favorite period—you will find among Gorham's 27 patterns in Sterling a silver service to harmonize with both” Fae AMERICA’S LEADING SILVERSMITHS FOR OVER 90 YEARS comicbooks.com