Judge, 1916-09-02 · page 28 of 28
Judge — September 2, 1916 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **a full-page advertisement**, not political satire. It advertises "Lachnite Gems"—synthetic diamonds marketed by the Harold Lachman Company of Chicago. The advertisement's pitch exploits early 20th-century consumer anxieties: it offers a 10-day free trial wearing the fake gem alongside real diamonds, betting customers can't tell the difference. The payment scheme ("Pay As You Wish," "a few cents a day") targets working-class buyers who couldn't afford genuine diamonds. The ornate illustration shows the gems in various settings—rings, brooches, and jewelry boxes—emphasizing luxury and desirability. The text claims Lachnite gems withstand standard diamond tests and possess comparable "fire and brilliance." This reflects the historical moment when synthetic gems became commercially viable, creating both consumer opportunity and moral anxiety about authenticity in jewelry—a genuine social concern of the era that advertisers exploited shamelessly.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Pay As You Wish ELECT one of the dazzling, gorgeous Lachnite Gems and get it for 10 day’s free trial. Put it to every diamond test you ever heard about. Wear it alongside a real diamond for 10 full days. Then—after the free trial, if either you or any of your friends can tell it from a diamond, send it back at our expense. If you decide to keep it, pay for it as you can afford —a few cents a day is enough No red tape. No notes or mortgages — just a plain, open, and all-above-board proposition. Your credit is good with the House of Lachman. Send the coupon now for our new catalog and illustrations of the superb new jewelry that you have to choose from. Set in Solid Gold When you get the new catalog you will see handsome illus- s of the scores of solid gold setti nted. You will see . y kind and descrip lieres, es, scarf pins.cu inthe jewelry line. All sent direct to you fora yay ‘trial for ten Yall days Pay for it at the rate of only a few centsm Ony. Just put your narne and address on the coup now and send to us for this free book. oO Free Book Coupon | Harold Lachman Co., 12 N. Michigan Ave., Dept. 2546, Chicago Gentlemen: Please send me absolutely free and prepaid your new | jewelry book and full particulars of your free trial easy payment plan. 1 assume no obligations of any kind. | Name tldress Write today immediately, 10 Days’ Free Trial Yes, we want you to wear a genuine Lachnite Gem for ten full days before you decide to buy, We want yor a to Ding, gorgeous, scintitlating m: Guisite jewels are cut by the wor their dazzling fire lasts forever expensive diamonds. When you get your Lachnite teal diamond. Put it to every diamond test can fell it from a real diamond, k It you decide to keep it, pay for it at the rate of only a few cente a day. Genuine Lach nites sand fire and acid tests and cut glass. They baffle experts. Send the Coupon for New Jewelry Book Put your name and address in the counon and send to usat once fur the new book of exquisite Lachnite Gems. Read the fascinating story of how at as conquered Nature and has produced a glor eclipsed the brilliancy of Nature's diamond. The much and wear forever. Do not delay a single inst and address on the coupon now—get the free book ir offer lasts. y while this Harold Lachman Company 32.%. Misti