Judge, 1911-01-07 · page 2 of 26
Judge — January 7, 1911 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Judge magazine page satirizes fraudulent investment schemes promising instant wealth. The opening line "To be poor is a crime" mocks the era's harsh judgment of the poor, while the ad parodies legitimate financial promises. The central image—a money tree—visualizes the fantasy these schemes peddle. The absurd "returns" (1000% total dividends including "170% in first mortgages") and ridiculous benefits ("120% in non-assayable chuckles") mock schemes' outlandish claims. The pricing structure starting at ten cents weekly, escalating to $5,194.80 annually, mirrors real predatory schemes targeting working people. The promised automobile and house purchase for minimal investment exposes the scam's fundamental dishonesty. The satirist highlights how these schemes exploit aspirational Americans desperate to escape poverty, using impossible promises and theatrical language ("Judge") to appear legitimate.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Don’t you want to be rich? To be poor isa crime. You owe it to yourself to be rich (to say nothing of your butcher, baker and gas man). Guide to Riches Judge will help you erase the stigma of disgrace that is hanging . over you. Judge will make you able to look your tailor in the eye and tell him to beat it. Judge will make your mail load up with automobile circulars and literature on steel beam steam yachts. YOU can Mr. Get Rich Quick Wallingford Mrs. Get Rich Quick Wallingford be & \Miss Get Rich Quick Wallingford Jadge Will Pay You 1000% on Your Investment! It is payable as follows: 10% increase in fat 50% increase in neighborly friendliness 60% increase in kindness to your wife 909 increase in blood circulation 100% increase in length of life 120% on comic cartoons 120% in non-assessable chuckles 170% in first mortgages in Consolidated Life Enjoyment Co. 280% for pure art Total 1,000% in dividends All you have to do is to pay ten cents next week for Judge. It is the simplest thing in the world. The first week you make . . . . $99.90 The second week youmake . . . 99.90 The third week you make coe E At the end of the year you are ahead 5,194.80 You can buy an auto for . . . . . 2,000. You can pay down ona house . . . 2,000.00 You can go to Atlantic City for . . 500.00 For an investment of $5.20 Judge will buy you an automobile, take you to Atlantic City, bring you back and put you in a home of your own and leave you $694.80 for incidental expenses. Do not delay. As premiums Judge will give you some of the finest covers ever on a magazine by Leyendecker and James Montgomery Flagg, and some special numbers that will keep you up nights. Jadge is on the news-stands NOW. The mail box on the corner, when fed a five dollar bill, will escort Judge to your home fifty-two times. Don’t disappoint the mail box. “WON'T YOU HELP ME PICK THE FRUIT?" ‘Send all money to Jud @ 225 Fifth Avenue New York Cit Send_all money to 225 Fifth Avenue New York City Judge has Opened a Confidential - ~~ ae comicbooks.com