Judge — December 4, 1915 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This page is primarily an **advertisement for Vanity Fair magazine**, not political satire. The image shows stylized figures illustrating the magazine's content and appeal. The central message targets readers feeling socially outdated: "Don't Be a Social Back Number." It promises that six months of Vanity Fair will keep readers current with modern trends in theater, music, essays, fashion, and dancing. The accompanying illustrations—a woman in 1920s dress and a tall, thin man in formal wear—represent the magazine's fashionable, urbane audience. The "Little Dollar Diplomacy" section humorously suggests Vanity Fair offers superior entertainment value compared to theater tickets or novels at comparable prices. Publisher Frank Crowninshield emphasizes the magazine's commitment to sophisticated content: no "pretty girls," problem stories, or sentimental material—positioning Vanity Fair as intellectually serious entertainment for the modern reader.