Life, 1929-07-19 · page 2 of 36
Life — July 19, 1929 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **primarily an advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Sheaffer fountain pens and desk sets, marketed as premium writing instruments. The ad emphasizes "unseen niceties"—internal mechanical features like patented receptacles and shoulder-formed chambers that ensure reliable performance. The copy appeals to consumers seeking quality and efficiency: "Pens and ink are saved, work goes easier, faster, better." The visual demonstrates the pen's precise engineering through technical diagrams and a stylized desk-set display. The ornamental border and period typography suggest this ran in the 1920s-1930s. There is **no political cartoon or satire** on this page. It's straightforward product marketing targeting professionals and desk workers who valued dependable writing instruments—a significant consumer concern before ballpoint pens became standard.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Patent internal shoulder forms air-sealed chamber. Kens pen clean, keeps tio moist, yaa) ashen tse se=- = ie Rat emits pen to Hie Patent universal receptacle Pt! Lifetime? desk fountain pen set complete with Areen Brazilian onyx base,$1$.00 (Obsainabte only chrouah Sheaffer in desk drawer. = _ dealers. Unseen niceties— assurance of matchless performance \irse Sheaffers pay quick dividends. Pens and ink are saved, work does easier, faster, better. For they excel not alone in styling, Link | ifetime desk foun- but in mechanical merit. From their patented receptacles desk foe sets, Areen Brazilian pens come hihtly, without srip or hindrance—at the correct . 4 o writing angle, not at random angles—and with tips moist and ge % ready. Gracious pens in settings of splendor! Qualities prized or phase ( fora lifetime! Compare thoughtfully. You'll choose Shea ffers! and At better stores everywhere _ SHEAFFER’ PENS-PENCILS-DESK SETS-SKRIP W. A.SHEAFFER PEN COMPANY, FORT MADISON, IOWA,U.S.A. oe hicado + 6+ + + San Francisco W. A. Sheaffer Pen Co. of Cs , Led., 169-173 Fleet Street—Toronto, Ont. Wellington, N.Z, + Sydney, Australia - 199 Regent St.— London jm Reg. U. 8. Pat. Of. New York Skrip, &S successor to ink, 25- ) cent and largersizes ALDPLLAS comicbooks.com