Judge, 1916-10-28 · page 28 of 28
Judge — October 28, 1916 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **full-page advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes Victor's "Victrola" phonograph and records, featuring their famous trademark: a dog listening to a gramophone horn. The ad appeals to early 20th-century consumers by associating the product with "the highest attainments in the musical art" and "the world's greatest artists." The dog—listening faithfully to recorded sound—symbolizes absolute fidelity to the original performance, a key selling point when recorded music was still novel technology. The "intensely human picture" language emphasizes that mechanically reproduced music could now bring concert-quality performances into American homes, positioning Victrola as a luxury item ($10-$400—substantial sums then). The warning about using proper needles and stylus indicates competing, incompatible phonograph manufacturers existed. This reflects the early recording industry's competitive push to standardize equipment and establish brand loyalty through emotional association rather than technical specification.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SS be See This intensely human picture stands for all that is best in music It is a picture with a message—a living message of absolute fidelity. “His Master’s Voice” is inseparably associ- ated with the highest attainments in the musi- cal art; with the exquisite renditions of the world’s greatest artists; with the world’s best music in the home. It is the exclusive trademark of the Victor Company. It identifies every genuine Victrola and Victor Record. There are Victor dealers everywhere, and they will gladly demonstrate the different styles of the Victor and Victrola—$1l0 to $400—and play any music you wish to hear. Victor Talking Machine Co., ., Camden, N. N. J., U.S.A. Dascrit Important warning. Victor Recordsc ly and satiefa etry pla ed only with Vietor Needles or Tungs-tone Styla: Victrolas. Vic’ e Ree sore Cannot be safely played on mechines with Jeweled or other reproducing b New Victor Records demonstrated at all dealers on the 28th of each ese | Victrola