Judge — February 10, 1912 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cover illustrates "B.P.O.E." (Best People On Earth), a humorous acronym playing on the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a fraternal organization popular in early 20th-century America. The cartoon depicts elderly men gathered around a table at home, examining what appears to be a crystal ball or mystical object under a lamp. The satire mocks the pretensions of such fraternal societies—suggesting their members viewed themselves as society's elite while engaging in folksy, domestic activities. The ornate clothing and solemn poses contrast with the mundane "old folks at home" scene, ridiculing the grandiosity of fraternal lodge culture and the self-importance of its members.