Judge, 1917-02-10 · page 28 of 28
Judge — February 10, 1917 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Victrola phonograph advertisement**, not a political cartoon. The page features portraits of four famous opera singers—Elba, Farrar, Gluck, and Sembrich—who performed "Comin' Thro' the Rye" on Victor records. The ad explains the song's Scottish origins (a stream in Ayrshire where young couples would kiss on stepping stones). The advertisement emphasizes that these "gifted artists" have made this traditional ballad available to home listeners through the Victrola, positioning the phonograph as bringing world-class musical entertainment into ordinary households. Prices for different Victrola models ($200 and $250) are listed at bottom. This reflects early 20th-century marketing strategy: using celebrity endorsements and cultural prestige to sell consumer technology.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ary to, peneral public ‘opinions Thro’ the Rye” refers to the » ¢ in Ayrshire, Scotland, not to oe ye field. The lucky lad who caught a lassie crossing the stream on the stepping stones was entitled.to exact a toll of kisses. “Comin’ 4 e Rye” is one of sic few ballads of Isee aee wh simple beauty has endowed it with perpetual life. Intimately associated with this charm- e names of Melba, Sembrich. through their 7 comicbooks.com farina: |