Judge, 1917-01-20 · page 28 of 28
Judge — January 20, 1917 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily advertising**, not satire or political content. It's a full-page ad for the Harold Lachman Company promoting "Lachnite," a man-made diamond substitute. **The pitch:** The company offers a ten-day free trial of a Lachnite gem set in solid gold. Customers can test it against real diamonds using various methods (fire, acid, diamond files) to see if they can distinguish it. If they can't tell the difference after ten days, they're challenged to keep it—paying installments of mere cents per day. **The implicit social commentary** (not stated but evident to period readers): This reflects early-20th-century anxieties about **synthetic goods and consumer deception**. The ad's confidence—essentially daring customers to detect the fake—suggests both pride in manufacturing quality and awareness that artificial gems threatened the diamond industry's exclusivity claims. The ad capitalizes on economic accessibility: luxury jewelry for working-class budgets through installment payments. No explicit satire is present; Judge simply ran paid advertisements alongside editorial content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
If You Can Tell a Lachnite from a Diamond -Send it back , we will send you one of these exquisite man-made gems, prepaid, so that you can ar it for ten full days at our expense. Put it to every diamond test you ever heard about—fire, acid, the diamond file. Compare its brilliance with the brilliance of the mined diamond. Notice how it is cut by world renowned diamond cutters. Test it in every way. Wear it everywhere you go. Then, after ten days—if you are able to tell which is your Lachnite and which is your diamond—or if any of your frie cide have been able to tell the difference—send the Lachnite back to us, The trial docs not cost you a penny. If you decide to buy the Lachnite, pay only the rock-bottom price— and if you wish—at the rate of a few cents a day. Our new jewelry book (sent free) tells about our generous terms, Pay As You Wish Set Only In Solid Gold Do not decide to buy a genuine Lachnite gem until you Lachnite gems are yon | only in solid gold. To hold ———— have wom it for 10 full days, Then—if you wish—you these splendid jewels we have secured the latest and newest ideas in soli \\_ may pay for it at the rate of a few cents a da gold settings. In our new catalog you will see_ illustrated, rings by the Harold as low as 31% cents a day—without interest. score, for both men and women, bracelets, La Vallicres, stick pins, cuff Lachman Co, \__ nothin e lays’ trial. No red tape. Your links—all the newest jewelry—made of solid gold. Write for new catalog 12.N. Michigan Ave. \\ credit is good. —it is free. Dept. 2541 Chicago, IIL. seg pen Send the Coupon for Our New Catalog tely free and prepa y book and full ‘pa ¢ free tr ; plan. I Put your name and address in the coupon or on a postcard, and get our new jewelry book. It shows handsome illustrations of the newest solid gold mountings from jo choose. Too, it tells the interesting story of how Lachnites are made, and why nteed to endure forever. You will be delighted with thia new book. Write for it ‘you will be under no obligations in sending for it. Just send this coupon now. Harold Lachman Co., Dept. 2541, 12 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois Name...... Address comicbooks.com