Judge, 1915-05-15 · page 24 of 24
Judge — May 15, 1915 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily **advertising, not satire**. The page promotes a 20-volume book series called "Famous Characters of History." The headline quote—"To Kill Peter, Would Be To Kill Yourself"—appears designed to create dramatic intrigue. It references the historical drama surrounding **Peter the Great** of Russia, specifically the power struggle with his sister **Sophia** (depicted in the central engraving). The text teases the narrative: Sophia ruled through her brother Theodore while scheming against Peter; Theodore's deathbed request favored Peter over his biological brother John. The advertisement emphasizes that these volumes combine "authentic historical facts" with romantic storytelling, targeting readers who find people and personalities more engaging than abstract history. It lists 20 historical figures (Alexander, Julius Caesar, Napoleon, etc.) and claims the books were "adopted by Boards of Education." The sales pitch offers a steep discount (60% off, from $30 to $12), requiring only $1 down with monthly payments—a common mail-order strategy of the era. There's no apparent satire here; it's straightforward period advertising in *Judge* magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“To Kill Peter, Would Be To It was Peter the Great’s mother who shielded him. Read the stirring events that led up to this thrilling climax. How young and artful Sophia, by her charm and affability won over andruled the kingdom, while epileptic Theo- dore, her brother, acted as figure head on the throne. Read why Theodore on his death-bed, asked that Peter, his step-brother, be the suc- ceeding king, and overlooked his blood-brother, John. Then read of the intrigue and conspiracy of Sophia, the notables and the military heads, It is vividly portrayed in the first thirty pages of the Volume on Peter tain, the Great—of the set of r sonalities. Kill Yourself” People are more inter- ested in people, than in things. very big event in the chain of history turned upon the action of some big individual. For this reason the lives of great men, around whom history revolves, will always be full of inter- est, instruction and in- spiration. Written, as they are, in a romantic vein, clear, concise and apt, full of live. refresh- ing and virile pulsed histor- ical incidents, these twenty volumes make the most de- lightful literature which educate and at the same time enter- ‘They deal with the really “big guns” and wonderful per- Famous Characters of History which gives authentic historical facts more absorbing than a fanciful modern novel. The set comprises the life history and adventures of 1, Alexander the 10. Romulus Gi Il. Mary Queen of Scots 12. Henry IV 13. Xerx 14, Julius Caesar 15. Nero 16. Cleopatra 17. Darius theGreat 18. Josephine 19. QueenElizabeth 20. AlfredtheGreat reat 2. William the Conqueror 3. Cyrus the Great 4. Hannibal 5. Pyrrhus 6. Peter the Great 7.G is Khan 8. HernandoCortez 9. Maria Antoi- Subscription Co. 225 Fifth Ave. Enclosed find cover fret paym te will remit $1.00 pet mon months. It pot, Lam to ret at your expense, at once, and fund my $1.00. Accurate history and capital reading—A happy The books have been adopted by Boards of Education as a foundation for the study of history because the mode of treatment stimulates the im- agination, moulds the mind and character, and is im- mensely readable to young and old. combination, Read the episode of Josephine the orphan child, who became an empress; of the Romantic marriage; the cruel and inhu- man divorce for state reasons— despite the eternal love and passion of Napoleon the Great. Read the story of the sad end of Alexander the Great after his defeat of Xerxes’ invincible army and fleet. Because of certain trade conditions, we are in a position to offer this magnificent set of twenty volumes handsomely bound ata Discount of 609 The publishers’ price for these books was $30.00—The price to you, now, ts $12.00, delivered to your door, carriage patd. Send Only $1.00 and pay the rest on easy payments of $1.00 per month and if after the sets reach you, you are not satisfied, return the books at our expense and we will return your dollar. But the value is so exceptional we are sure none will be returned. } The set is twenty volumes bound in silk vellum—containing 5250 pages and 75 etched engravings, The frontispiece is on Japan paper in photogravure be fairer. reproduced from famous paintings Nothing could You have never had a chance like this before to obtain fresh, new books, neatly boxed—at so low a price. Don’t overlook the opportunity, but write right now and secure one of these sets for your library before the supply is exhausted. Fill out the coupon now.