Every year, the French newspaper L’Ouest-Eclair organized a popular event known as the "Grand Concours," offering readers the chance to win generous prizes by participating in various competitions. In 1914, one such contest asked readers to guess the ages of three individuals based on their portraits, which had been published in the newspaper. The challenge involved estimating the ages of "a man, a woman, and a girl," and readers were encouraged to take a guess. This was part of a long tradition of engaging the public with puzzles and games, which were a common feature in newspapers of the time. The contest featured thirty-six portraits in total, each depicting a different person. Readers were expected to examine the images carefully and make their best estimates of the ages of the individuals shown. While the exact method used to determine the correct answers is not clear, such contests were often based on a combination of visual cues, context, and sometimes even historical information. These types of competitions were not only a form of entertainment but also a way to engage readers with the newspaper's content on a more interactive level. At the time, newspapers like L’Ouest-Eclair played a central role in the daily lives of many people, offering news, entertainment, and opportunities to participate in events like the "Grand Concours." These contests were popular because they allowed readers to feel involved in the publication, creating a sense of community and shared experience. The 1914 contest, in particular, stands out as a historical example of how media engaged with its audience in the early 20th century. Would you like to play? If you had been a reader of L’Ouest-Eclair in 1914, you might have spent some time studying the portraits and making your best guess. While the prizes for such contests were often modest, the experience of participation was likely the main reward. The contest remains an intriguing snapshot of how newspapers used creative methods to connect with their readers during a time of great social and political change.