Judge, 1891-06-06 · page 15 of 20
Judge — June 6, 1891 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Williams' Shaving Soap in Judge magazine. The illustration depicts cherubs and classical figures emerging from a shaving mug labeled "Williams Shaving Soap," surrounding flowering plants—imagery suggesting luxury, refinement, and health benefits. The tagline "We are in it" uses colloquial language to create familiarity. The ad claims the soap contains "Medicinal Properties" endorsed by physicians and prevents skin conditions common to barber work: sycosis (a fungal infection), barber's itch, chapping, pimples, and "contagious skin diseases." A question box encourages customers to ask their barber if he uses Williams' brand, implying competitive advantage. This represents **late 19th/early 20th-century advertising conventions**: associating products with health authority, classical aesthetics, and social status—typical of Judge's mixed content of humor and paid advertisements.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“We aré in it? Rave Cnet Faacrance— Lununy- At foana in ss WILLIAMS’ S; JAVING PAP. | A Cup of Health. Health to the body—peace of mind. Unlike any other, WILLIAMs shaving soap contains Medzce- nal Properties, endorsed by distinguished physicians and eminent specialists in diseases of the skin. Every time your Barber applies Witttams’ Soap to your face, you may enjoy the assurance that with all its refreshing qualities, its delicate fragrance, its cooling, soothing influences, ave combined virtues that render it a sure preventive of SYCOSIS, BARBERS’ ITCH, CHAPPING, PIMPLES, and all CONTAGIOUS SKIN _ DISEASES. Ask ore Barber if he uses WILLIAMS* BORE, It he does not he drs using seoect other kind simply because it is a trifle chec cy QUESTION fperitemtined a es ater tant what eseethea 0 dneeaGse oa haa tae Utne inet ascot Tas < meat of the distressing facial disfigurements. If Your: Barber docs not use Wittiaus™ Soar, sak him to try iu, Your saver ie ar oake, Tue J. B. WitttaMs Co, are famous throughout the world as makers of the famous ‘GENUINE YANKEE SHAVING SOAP.” Factorigs at GLastonpury, Conn., U.S. A. ESTABLISHED 1840 Wituiams & BRros., MANCHESTER, CONN. comicbooks.com |