Judge, 1888 · page 55 of 72
Judge — 1888 — page 55: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertising page** from Judge magazine, not a satirical cartoon page. The bulk of the content consists of commercial advertisements for New York businesses (watches, boots, insurance, wine, trunks, printing services). However, the text references a **back-cover cartoon** depicting the 1888 U.S. presidential election. The ad describes a political allegory: Columbia (personification of America) is being courted by Hugo Sohmer, a piano manufacturer, while politicians Cleveland, Thurman, Harrison, and Morton struggle in the Capitol background. The satire's point: despite fierce political fighting over the presidency, all politicians agree on one thing—the superiority of the Sohmer piano. This is **product placement satire**—using the heated 1888 election as backdrop to humorously promote a luxury good by suggesting even bitter political rivals unanimously endorse it. The actual cartoon is not visible on this page; only its description survives.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NATURAL GAS JENS F. PEDERSEN. F, W, BUCKINGHAM, PEDERSEN & BUCKINGHAM, (SUCCESSORS TO JENS F. PEDERSEN,) Wataes, Dawns and Jonesy, 1% MAIDEN LANE, (Nort Sip,) NEW ToRE. Our line of SWISS WATCHES is particularly fine and select this Fall, and to which we respectfully in- vite your attention, Horse Timers and Split Seconds Watches, from $8 to $400. No. 10. Solld 18 kt. Gold Hunt- ing, Elgin, Stem Winding Wateh, —Tllustrated Catalogue and Price List mailed on SiN RSKeETan; » $30. receipt of 8 cents in postage. On the back cover there is a handsome picture descriptive of the present condition of affairs in the political world, and also showing in the most striking manner, that although the politicians are fighting amongst themselves, yet the winning ticket for 1888 in the musical world is the Sohmer piano. In the front of the picture is Columbia being most courteously re- ceived by Mr. Hugo Sohmer, who desires to present to her the “Sohmer ” piano. By the side of Mr. Sohmer, in a group, are Josef Kuder on the left, Mr. Charles Fahr in the centre, and Mr. George Reichmann at the right, rejoicing over the recognition of the instrument's merits on the part of Columbia representing the people of the United States. Above this is a banner waving the words “Sohmer & Co.” In the background one sees the Capitol with masses of struggling politicians surrounding Cleveland, Thurman, Harrison and Morton. . But in one thing they all agree, that is the high position and stand- ing of the celebrated Sohmer piano. BURT & MEARS, 59 and 61 Reade Street, New York, MANUFACTURERS OF —— Men's French Calf Bench Hand-Made Boots=Shoes We Use No Machinery, DAVID H. GILDERSLEEVE, FINE JOB, BOOK AND NEWSPAPER PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT STATIONERY AND LITHOGRAPHY, 45, 47, 49 AND 54 ROSE STREET, PRINTER OF JUDGE. NEW YORK, FROM JUDGE. Dry Special, Brut. =: Du Vivier ace 49 BROADST Nye yeace ose Du VIVIER & Co., 49 BROAD ST., N.Y. FING TABLE AND CHATEAU CLARETS, BURGUNDIES, SHERRIES, RHINE WINES, BRANDIES, ETc. QUEEN INSURANCE COMPANY, 6 WALL STREET, NEW YORK. THE MOST RELIABLE Trunks, Bags, Ete. ARE. MADE BY NEW YORK, SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF THE Patent Improved Rawhide Trunks 14 Cortlandt Street, near Broadway. STORES: {56 Broadway, below Prince Street. 723 Sixth Avenue, below 42d Street. comicbooks.com