Judge, 1891-11-07 · page 13 of 18
Judge — November 7, 1891 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **not a cartoon or satire**—it's a full-page advertisement for Williams' Shaving Soap, disguised as a testimonial letter. The ad presents a cautionary narrative: a man named C.H. Foster (identified as a "real" correspondent from Buffalo) ignored advice to use Williams' soap, went to a cheap barber who used inferior soap, and contracted "Barbers' Itch"—a genuine skin infection caused by poor hygiene and low-quality products. The advertisement then pivots to warnings: barbers using cheap soap cause disease; physicians recommend Williams' as "absolutely pure"; and the product has a "50-year reputation." **The appeal is fear-based marketing**. Rather than celebrating the product's merits directly, it warns against the danger of alternatives, establishing Williams' soap as the safe, medical choice. This reflects 1891 advertising practices before modern consumer protection laws—using unverified testimonials and health claims to drive sales. There is **no political satire or social commentary**; this is straightforward product marketing in Judge magazine's advertising section.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
34 Savin St., Boston, Mass., February rst, 1891. ® : r) Dear Jim — “JT sincerely wish I had followed the advice you gave me a while ago :— ‘Never let a barber shave you unless you are sure he uses WILLIAMS’ Suavinc Soar’ “Being in a hurry the other day, I went into a shop near the depot to get a shave. “I noticed the lather had a strong smell, and asked the Barber what kind of Soap he used. I can’t remember the name, but it was not WILLIAMS. “He said WILLIAMS’ was the best, but his kind was a little cheaper, and ‘answered his purpose. “A few days after being shaved, my face was all broken out, and I went to my Doctor, who tells me it is a bad case of Barbers’ Itch, —caused by the cheap, impure Soap which that Barber used. My face is terribly sore, and a most disgusting sight.” ‘The above is an extract from a letter recently sent us by a corres: pondent in Buffalo, N. Y. The writer of the letter 8 Mr. C, H. Foster, 34 Savin Street, Boston, Mass. Mr. Foster isan entire stranger to us, and out of a bitter experience offers this WARNING.— The J. B. W. Co. ° Barbers are cautioned against the use of cheap grades of Shaving Soaps. Tailors can't make cheap Caution. clothes except they use cheap cloth, Soap makers can’t make cheap soaps, except they use “cheap” materia's. Diseased fats are cheap. Putrid grease is cheap. They make “cheap” Soap, and: they cause DANGEROUS DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 99 cases of Banners’ Itcut out of every hundred, are caused by cheap, vile, Shaving Soaps. Look out for them! °. No man can afford to take chances in a matter so important. See to it that PURE Soap—and only ] nsIs C PURE Soap—is used by your Barber. Wittiams’ Barner Soap is absolutely pure. It is recommended by physicians, indorsed by leading chemists. Has had a reputation of 50 years for absolute purity. See that your Barber uses Wiutams’, Wittiams', Witttams', WILLIAMS’. All. good barbers use it. Tue J. B. Witttams Co., Gtastonsury, Conn., U.S. A. Is yours good ? Wr11ass' Soar has germicide and medicinal properties. Destroys the germs of disease caused by impure soaps. If your face is sore, try {t. The purest, most delicate Totter Soar. Prepared in pound packages. Six cakes to a package. Your barber will supply you, - comicbooks egy