Judge, 1917-02-17 · page 2 of 28
Judge — February 17, 1917 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily an **advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. It promotes Columbia Grafonola phonographs by advertising their recording of Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly." The ad features an illustration of elegantly dressed figures with Japanese parasols, referencing the opera's Asian setting. The text emphasizes how the phonograph brings opera's "enchantment" and "splendor" into the home, targeting affluent buyers who could afford the $15-$350 price range (substantial sums in the early 20th century). The appeal is to cultural aspirations—owning both the opera recording and the "greatest of musical instruments" signals refined taste and wealth. The "Note the tone" logo emphasizes sound quality as a selling point for this emerging consumer technology.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
an “Yr Ftals of ye * Enchantment( »~ N all opera there is no more enchanting matt . than “Madame Butterfly.” The exquisite rap- ture of “Un Bel di Vedremo,” the greatest aria of ,Puccini’s opera, is in itself enough to transport the hearer to the Fairyland of Spring in Japan. The whole enchanted realm of grand opera, with all its splendor and wealth of beauty, comes to life through the magic portals of the _ COLUMBIA GRAFONOLA Your favorite opera, your favorite aria, sang by world-famed artists, is translated into enthralling reality on Columbia Records. The opera can be a nightly delight, hearing its great voices a joy at your instant call, if you have ‘this greatest of musical in- struments with Columbia operatic records in your home. Hear a Columbia Grafonola at your dealer’s today. Prices $15 to New records on sale the 20th of every month.