Judge, 1913-01-04 · page 26 of 26
Judge — January 4, 1913 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily **an advertisement for Mennen's Shaving Cream**, not a political cartoon. The page uses a playful visual puzzle rather than satire. The ad displays face cards from a standard playing deck (Knaves/Jacks and Kings) with a question mark covering one card, asking readers to identify which cards have beards, mustaches, or neither. This serves as a lighthearted engagement device. The "joke" is minimal—it's essentially a riddle to draw attention. The real purpose is advertising copy emphasizing that Mennen's cream works for any beard type. The product claims include: non-irritating formula, thick lather that won't dry out, skin-softening properties, and economical value. The ad concludes with a sales pitch offering free sample tubes and a 1913 calendar premium. This represents early 20th-century advertising strategy—using interactive puzzles and giveaways to attract consumer interest before delivering product benefits.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
the styles of beards worn by the Knaves and Kings of the Whist or Poker Deck—which of them have mustaches—which of them have neither beard nor mustache? We can tell you that MENNEN’S. SHAVING CREAM is the best) shaving preparation for any kind of beard. It contains no free caustic and therefore does not irritate the skin, smarting and sore faces are eliminated; it gives a thick creamy lather which absolutely will not dry on the face; the lather softens the beard without th jectionable “rubbin: the shave the skin is left cool and soft instead of hot and drawn; the cream be sanitary; is extremely economical, Write for free sample tube today and be convinced. The sooner you get started, the sooner your shaving troubles will be ended, Mennen’s Shaving Cre GERHARD MENNEN COMPANY, 14 Orange Street, NEWARK, N. J. Makers of the celebrated Mennen’s Borated Talcum Toilet Powder. For 15¢ in stamps we will mail you prepaid our beautiful 1913 calendar. comicbooks.com