Life — November 9, 1928 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Sheaffer's Pen Advertisement This is a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Sheaffer fountain pens and desk accessories from the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company (Fort Madison, Iowa). The ad features decorative ornamental borders and illustrates their "Lifetime" desk fountain-pen set with various accessories—an onyx desk set, pen holders, and ink bottle—priced around $10-$75. Two silhouetted dogs stand on an oval platform, likely meant as decorative imagery symbolizing quality or loyalty. The copywriting emphasizes practical benefits: pens with "universal folding ratchet-lock sockets" prevent ink splatter, and lifetime guarantees reduce replacement costs. The ad targets office workers seeking reliable, attractive desk equipment as a business necessity rather than luxury.