Judge, 1891-03-07 · page 15 of 20
Judge — March 7, 1891 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. Williams Shaving Soap uses nationalist and historical appeals to sell their product. The ad argues that shaving is universally practiced by great men—citing the Founding Fathers, U.S. Presidents, and even Peter the Great making it law. This constructs shaving as a marker of civilization, health, and character. The humor lies in the self-aware admission: "Perhaps we are prejudiced, because we make the famous Williams' Shaving Soap." The ad acknowledges its obvious bias while simultaneously using historical/authoritative figures to legitimize the product. The closing pitch warns that Williams' Soap prevents "Barber's itch"—suggesting competitor products were associated with skin irritation, making safety a selling point. This reflects late 19th/early 20th-century advertising strategy: wrapping commercial interests in patriotic and scientific language to appear impartial while clearly promoting self-interest.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
About Shaving We believe that every man ought to shave or get shaved. We think it /ooks better, Since the features are what lend character to the face, we can see no reason for concealing them, unless, perchance, the character is a dad one. Shaving tends to better 4ealth, too—so the doctors say. Do you say we are prejudiced, because we make the famous WILLIAMS’ SHAVING Soap, which every shaver who prizes his comfort and safety uses himself or gets his barber to use ? Well, perhaps we are. It’s hard not to be interested in one’s own business; but consider— Every one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence shaved. Twenty-two of the Presidents of the United States shaved. The fastidious Peter the Great was so much in favor of it that he made it a /aw that every man in his kingdom should be shaved. You will see that we are not the ov/y people who believe that every man ought to be possessed of a smooth countenance. Fill out the list yourself: Men of /ashzon, the greatest statesmen, scholars, and divines—men of fame in all callings —you'll find that most Gig very great HE On SEN or ave shaved. That they all use WiLLIaMs’ SHavinc Soap is simply because it has xo equal, either for puRITY or the many other excel- lent features that distinguish it. Do you use it? Does your BARBER use it ? Ask him ! It is the only sure preventive of Barber's itch and every other form of irritation and blood- poisoning peculiar to the face. If your Barber uses Witiams’ Soar, you are safe. Tue J.B, WiLtiAMs Co, are famous throughout the world as makers of the famous “GENUINE YANKEE SHAVING Soar.” Facrorigs at GLastonuury, Cony., U.S. A. ESTABLISHED 1840 WILLIAMS & Bros., MANCHESTER, Conn. comicbooks.com