Life, 1928-11-30 · page 38 of 52
Life — November 30, 1928 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon or satire**—it's a **full-page advertisement** for Sheaffer fountain pens and pencils, likely from the 1920s-1930s based on styling and pricing. The "meaning" is straightforward commercial messaging: Sheaffer markets the "Lifetime" pen as an ideal gift because it's engineered to last a lifetime, using premium materials like Waspalumin alloy and iridium. The ornate decorative border frames the product display, and the tagline "The best gift is that which serves best" appeals to purchasers seeking quality and permanence. There is no satire, political reference, or hidden joke—this is genuine product promotion positioning luxury fountain pens as thoughtful, durable gifts. The decorative Art Deco/Arts and Crafts styling was typical of upscale advertising from this era, lending elegance to the merchandise.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The best gift is that” which serves best The Lifetime® pen is a fine piece of engineering, work. It is built with such exquisite accuracy, and of such dependable material, that it is freely juaranteed to last its user for a lifetime. In places of wear, Waspalumin, an almost precious alloy of superla- tive tenacity, and iridium, the hardest of all metals, are Zenerously used, A magnificent engineer- ing, job—for a beautiful and appropriate gift. A gift! One that is a constant reminder of the siver. “Lifetime” pen in Arcen or black, $8.75, Ladies’, $7.50—pencil, $4.25 DeLuxe “Lifetime” pen, $10, pencil, $5. Others lower At better stores everywhere SHEAFFER’ PENS: PENCILS: SKRIP W. A. SHEAFFER PEN COMPANY - FORT MADISON, IOWA, U.S. A. New York + + ChicabBo + + San Francisco W. A. Sheaffer Pen Co, of Canada, Ltd. + Toronto, Ont.— 60-62 Front St., W. Wellii . N. Z. + Sydney, Australia - London—199 Regent St. Reg. U.S. Pat. Of. comicbooks.com