Life, 1929-05-17 · page 7 of 52
Life — May 17, 1929 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **Waterman's fountain pen advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes "Waterman's No. 7" pen, priced at seven dollars with seven different nib points. The "seven" theme is the marketing hook: seven nib options allow customers to find their preferred writing style. The lower section shows seven illustrated vignettes of different professions using pens—businesspeople, accountants, writers, and others—to demonstrate universal utility. The tagline promises "accurate selection made in a few moments—and satisfaction for life." This reflects early 20th-century consumer marketing: offering customization and professional endorsement to justify premium pricing. No political figures or satire are present. This is straightforward commercial advertising from Life magazine's classified section.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Points Standage anor 7 ery ent pen point. most writers, gut pene. ‘Writes “5 brs an: an: pod Ce paws. Why “Number Seven’’? To have a sharply distinctive name fora sharply new idea—a color band around the cap to signal at a glance the kind of point. A system original with Waterman's that is revolu- tionizing pen selection. Why Seven Points? To permit wide selection by meeting every pen-fancy and pen-need. One of these points will precisely fit your taste, whoever you are. Seven Dollars for The salesman's friend. Why Seven Dollars? To put the most reason- able possible price upon a pen embodying the greatest possible quality —larger ink capacity, simple self-filling device that locks, stainless and perfectly balanced Ripple Rubber holder, and Clip-Cap. Waterman's number 7 with 7 points at 7 dollars means accurate selection made in a few moments— and satisfaction for life. At any one of our fifty thousand dealers try all the seven points—the dealers expect it and are glad when you do. One of the 7 is exactly the point you prefer Use Waterman's Inks Sold Everywhere Waterman’ comicbooks.com Guaranteed Forever L. E. Waterman Company, 191 Broadway, New York Against cAll Defects Boston Chicago Montreal. © San Francisco