Judge, 1914-06-06 · page 24 of 24
Judge — June 6, 1914 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It uses humor to promote B.V.D. brand underwear by contrasting two men in summer heat. The "grouch" (left) suffers visibly—coat on arm, handkerchief in hand, drooping head, irritable mood—because he lacks B.V.D. underwear. The well-dressed men (right) remain composed, cool, and alert while wearing it. The ad's joke: proper underwear determines summer comfort and temperament. The text emphasizes the "Red Woven Label" as proof of authenticity, warning consumers against imitations labeled "Athletic" underwear. This reflects early-20th-century concerns about counterfeit branded goods. The advertisement includes product details and prices ($1.00-$5.00), with offices in New York and London. The satirical element is mild—simply exaggerating the misery of inadequate undergarments versus the superiority of the branded product.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Look, What a Grouch!’ He Hasn’t B. V. D. On. UN aflame—coat on arm—handkerchief in hand—head drooping—brow dripping—spirits low—nerves “on hair trigger’—how hot 4e is without easy-breezy B. V. D.—literally “rolling in discomfort.” He is sulky and snappish and /oods 7¢. They swing along, unmindful of the heat, heads high, eyes bright, bodies cool, minds clear, muscles taut and faculties alert. You—on with B.V.D. and fee/ and /ook cool. By the way, remember that a// “Athletic” Underwear is zo B. V. D. For your own welfare. fix the B.V. D. Red Woven Label in your mind and make the salesman show it to you. If he can’t or won't, walt out! On every B, V. D. garment is sewed This Red Woven Label WADE FOR THE } |B.V.D] { BEST RETAIL TRADE } (Trade M: S. Pat. Of. and B. V. D. Union Suits (Pat. . A. 4-30-07), $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $3.00 and $5.00 the Suit The B. V. D. Company, New York. London Sel Agency, 66, Aldermanbury, E. C. Copyrights UlSZAL1913 Bi - ST | The -D.V.D. Company 2 id Sa data Sl comicbooks.com