Judge, 1914-11-28 · page 23 of 24
Judge — November 28, 1914 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily **advertising copy**, not a cartoon. The text promotes Judge magazine's special Christmas issue while making a patriotic pitch during wartime. **Historical Context:** The reference to "foreign sources of supply cut off" indicates this was published during World War I (likely 1917-1918), when imports were restricted and American goods were being emphasized for patriotic reasons. **The Pitch:** Judge's advertisers are cleverly framing consumer spending as patriotic duty—urging readers to buy American-made products as Christmas gifts. Santa Claus becomes a vehicle for this message: he must now shop domestically instead of importing goods. **The Satire:** Judge subtly mocks commercial interests by portraying major advertisers as collectively "suggesting" to Santa what Americans should buy, while simultaneously promoting their own issue as the guide for these purchases. **Key Detail:** The circulation claim of "145,000 prospering homes" suggests an affluent readership—the target consumers most likely to purchase advertised luxury goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ITH his foreign sources of supply cut off, Santa Claus must load up the old sleigh from these peaceful shores exclusively; and he will load up on those American products which he is told bring the greatest pleasure to the greatest number. Articles of merchandise advertised in the national periodicals, which go into the best homes all over the United States, are favorably known to the great- est number of people, and are therefore surer of eager acceptance at Christ- mas (or any other time) by the ones to whom you give them. Go through the advertising columns of the leading magazines, and arrange to have Santa Claus load your part of his sleigh with generally and genu- inely acceptable presents—not just the “stuff” that can be thrown in at the last minute. T he Christmas Number of Judge (On sale next Thursday—Ten Cents) is a co-operative suggestion to Santa Claus, from the leading advertisers, via 145,000 prospering homes. To make dead sure of getting the old gentleman’s attention at the very time he is thinking hardest about Christmas gifts, we are printing his pic- ture on the front cover, and making the whole issue Christmassy from cover to cover. The issue can’t be read in any spirit but the holiday spirit; full of color and cheerfulness it will be, and nearly twice the usual size—but at the regular price—ten cents. The spirit of giving will be stronger than ever this year; the opportunity for suggesting what gifts to give, better than ever; and the giving and re- ceiving of American goods by the cheerful, optimistic, open-handed readers of Judge, greater than ever. Flag the Pan-American Santa Claus Special of Judge—The Happy Med- ium; make your home one of its 145,000 destinations. Every member of the family will enjoy it. comicbooks.com