Life — March 1935 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is primarily a **liquor advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It advertises "Rittenhouse Square" rye whiskey at 100 proof, "bottled from the barrel" by Continental Distilling Corporation of Philadelphia. The ad also mentions they distill "Dixie Belle" dry gin. The image shows bottles of these spirits alongside wooden barrels (marked "Pennsylvania Rye" and other text) and drinking glasses. The black-and-white photography emphasizes the product's premium, traditional character. This likely dates to the **pre-Prohibition or early post-Prohibition era** (1920s-1930s), when American distillers were reestablishing their brands after alcohol's legal ban. The ad appeals to consumers seeking quality American whiskey with established regional pedigree.