Life, 1928-12-07 · page 63 of 64
Life — December 7, 1928 — page 63: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement, not a political cartoon**. It promotes Parker Duofold fountain pen desk sets as Christmas gifts ($16–$19, roughly $250–$300 in modern money). The page features four decorative desk set bases in different materials (black glass, onyx, marble) with matching fountain pens in ornamental holders. The "Statuette" bases display small sculptural figures—a dog, a classical figure, and what appears to be a bulldog or similar animal. The advertisement emphasizes durability ("Guaranteed Forever Against All Defects"), convenience (pen stored in movable socket, always ready), and quality materials (Permanite barrels, 28% lighter than rubber). It targets affluent consumers seeking prestigious gift items for the holiday season. There is no satire or political commentary present—this is straightforward luxury goods marketing from the early 20th century.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Black Glass Complete, $16 Onyz Complete, $17 Duofold Desk Sets Black Glass Complete, $16 2, oo Marble Complete, $16 Now we present the Statuette ha Every Parker Fountain Pen Desk Set comes in a special Christmas Gift Box, furnished without charge. ‘Newest Fountain Pen Desk Set for Christmas $16 to $19 Genuine Parker Duofold Fountain *Guaranteed Forever Against Al! Pens stand in these new Desk Stat- _ Defects. Five flashing colors. uette Bases at any angle, ready to your hand,or lie flat out of arms’ way and harm's way. Duofold Statuette Sets—com- plete, $16 to $19, depending on size and finish. Others, $6.50 to $100.00. Look for “Geo. S, Parker — DUO- FOLD" on barrels of pens, because the pen is the vital part of any Desk Set. At all good dealers, Ink in the pen, pen in the movable socket. Pen, though used a hundred times a day, is never mislaid. Point always moist and ready to write instantly with famous Parker Pressureless Touch. Jewel-like, Non-Breakable Permanite Barrels, 289 lighter than rubber. Pens ‘Tne PaRKen PEN Co., JANESVILLE, WIS., OFFICES AND SUBSIDIARIES: NEW TORK * BOSTON * CHICAGO * ATLANTA DALLAS * SAN FRANCISCO * TORONTO, CANADA LONDON, ENGLAND * MEIDELBERO, CERMANT *To prove Parker Duofold is a pen of lifelong perfec- tion, we offer to make good any defect, provided complete pen is sent by the owner direct to the fac- tory with 10c for return postage and insurance. comicbooks.com