Judge — May 2, 1914 — page 40: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes Pleasant Valley Wine Company's champagne, produced in Rheims, New York. The ad features a stylishly dressed woman in 1920s fashion (cloche hat, pearl necklace, elegant dress) presenting a champagne bottle labeled "Great Western Champagne." The tagline "Right in Style (A la Mode)" emphasizes fashionable sophistication. The advertisement's central claim—"The Only American Champagne ever awarded a Gold Medal at Foreign Expositions"—lists prestigious international awards (Paris 1867-1900, Vienna 1873, Brussels 1897-1910) to position American-made champagne as competing with French imports. This reflects early 20th-century American commercial pride: domestic products could achieve European-standard quality and recognition. The image appeals to aspirational consumers wanting refined, fashionable leisure—typical advertising strategy of the Jazz Age era.