Life — August 7, 1931 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Cover, August 1, 1931 This is a Life magazine cover featuring a caricature labeled "Ely Culbertson on Contract Bridge." The illustration shows a man's head and shoulders with an exaggerated, grinning expression emerging from what appears to be a lightning bolt or zigzag shape, signed "Neilson." The satire likely mocks Culbertson's prominence in popularizing contract bridge during the early 1930s. The dynamic, electric imagery suggests the intense enthusiasm—perhaps even frenzy—surrounding the card game at that time. The exaggerated facial expression and theatrical presentation poke fun at bridge's cultural obsession and Culbertson's role as its leading promoter. The magazine's 10-cent price and library stamp indicate this is an archived copy from the Depression era.