Judge, 1908-07-11 · page 10 of 16
Judge — July 11, 1908 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a comic strip (1908) featuring a character named "Nervy Nat," who appears to be a comedic daredevil or showman. The humor centers on Nat's boastful stunts and absurd mishaps at sea. The satire references **President William Howard Taft**, mocking his weight—Nat jokes about his "extra waist measurement" like "Bill Taft," a contemporary jab at Taft's well-known heaviness. Herreshoff (misspelled in OCR) likely refers to the famous yacht designer. The strip's joke is straightforward slapstick: Nat attempts swimming and boating stunts to impress onlookers, but repeatedly fails catastrophically (capsizing, nearly drowning). Yet he maintains absurd pomposity throughout, claiming his mishaps are actually intentional techniques—he swims upside-down "every Wednesday," drinks Scotch and cigars as recovery methods. The humor relies on the contrast between Nat's braggadocio and his obvious incompetence, a classic early-20th-century comedy formula. The Taft reference dates this to his presidency (1909-1913).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
life buoy? Nope; that's wrong. 2. Nervy Nat— Whoop! I feel like Bill Taft with this extra waist aut, not the hole.” In any event, an measurement. Here goes for the briny! Just watch me make a dent in the idea has stung me, I will don this and perform a few stunts that will add Atlantic.” still more to my prestige.” , 3. Nervy Nat—‘* What's this? “There certainly must be something wrong 4. Yachtiman—“ We'll just hitch up to these sticks, Bill, and have a try here. Ide keel. Send for Herreshotf. Man the pumps! for bluefish. Get the painter ready.” For Noah's sa p! (gulp). L've turned turtle (gurgle). Swal- lowed a fish.” » 6. Nervy Nat—** No apologies necessary. gentlemen that's my usual way be ft from oak to spoil your fun, Johnny; but if of swimming. 1 always do that every Wednesday Jay at two, ut of my fins I'll sting you. I amva jelly-fish.” My physician recommended it for cooling the head after brain ware. Yea, en's sake, come aboard ad have someth thanks; I'll have a little more Scotch and a cigar. You may let me ashore Nervy Nat hats the best noise I've heard yet. Make it ag at the hotel.” - NO. 52-NERVY NAT IS RESCUED FROM THE DEEP. ) COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY JUDGE COMPANY, LISHERS, 225 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORE. y, handeomely bound Ip book form. Price.76 cents; 10 cents addiltl ress JUDGE COMPANY, 225 Filth Avenue, New Yor! NOTE.-The First Series of Nervy N for postage wi jures In pow red by mail. A comicbooks.com