Judge, 1897-04-24 · page 19 of 20
Judge — April 24, 1897 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement** rather than a satirical cartoon. The Overman Wheel Company uses rhetorical questioning to appeal to educated, discerning consumers of the bicycle era (likely 1890s-early 1900s). The ad's satire is **indirect and self-aware**: it mocks typical bicycle marketing by claiming Victor bicycles reject flashy advertising ("not advertisements, not name plates, not noise"). Instead, it emphasizes material quality and craftsmanship—specifically forged steel over cheaper casting methods. The pitch is **class-conscious and somewhat condescending**: "If you have a high grade neck, ride a high grade wheel" suggests that owning a Victor bicycle signals refined taste and social standing. The phrase "Victor grade" becomes synonymous with superiority. The postscript criticizing "castings" as "cheap for the maker, but dangerous for the rider" positions Victor as the ethical choice, implying competitors prioritize profit over safety—a common early-20th-century manufacturing criticism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Do you know the difference between crucible and open hearth steel? Do you know the difference between a steel forging and a casting? 1 =©—Do you understand how a part of a bicycle made of forged steel is better than a part bent up out of sheet metal? ' It you know these things, it will be easier for us to sell you a Victor [¥f bicycle. You should know that bicycles are not advertisements, not name [f plates, not noise. Bicycles are First, MATERIAL; Second, WORK, You can know all about your bicycle by carefully examining these [M two things. Remember, most bicycles are made to sell; not to ride. Few bicycle makers invite the rider to examine carefully into all material used, before buying. We like this way of selling bicycles. as MH The more you inquire, the better pleased we are. Victor bicycles cost more to build than other bicycles, and they are bat RS] worth more. If you have a high grade neck, ride a high grade wheel. We prefer to say “Victor grade,” since it means more. Catalog on application. OVERMAN WHEEL CO. NEW YORK BOSTON CHICAGO DETROIT DENVER SAN FRANCISCO. PORTLAND, ORE. P.S. Did you know that the Overman Wheel Co. built the first |f bicycle in the world without castings ? Castings are one of the curses of bicycles. comicbooks.com|