Judge, 1917-04-07 · page 27 of 28
Judge — April 7, 1917 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not satirical content. It promotes a 20-volume encyclopedia set titled "Famous Characters of History." The small illustration shows a Norman peasant woman displaying her ankles by a brook—referencing the historical legend that Duke Robert of Normandy was attracted to this woman, leading to William the Conqueror's birth and thus the Norman Conquest of England (1066). The ad uses this as a hook: "Love" literally changed world history. The sales pitch argues that true biographical stories are more thrilling than fiction, and that studying famous historical figures provides moral instruction. The listed characters span from Alexander the Great to Alfred the Great—figures presented as universally recognized exemplars of human greatness. For modern readers, the notable element is the **gender dynamic**: the opening emphasizes a woman's physical attractiveness as historically consequential, while the character list is predominantly male. This reflects early 20th-century attitudes about women's historical agency. The ad emphasizes urgency ("Your Last Chance!"), bulk purchasing (20 volumes), and quality production as justification for the $1.00 price point.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Love At SIGHT! The Most Famous—Most Momentous-Case in History The pretty feet and shapely ankles of this Norman peasant girl made her the mother of William the Conqueror. Had she not while playing in the brook unconsciously displayed thes charms to the eyes of Duke Robert of Normandy, and thus fascinated him—Harold, the last of the Saxon Kings, would not have fallen at Hastings—there would have been no Anglo- Norman dynasty in England—no British Empire as we know it today. But this is only one of many true stories of the brave men and beautiful women who made history for over two thousand years, showing the extent to which Love has shaped the destinies of mankind, has ruled in Court and Camp, has exercised im- perious sway over the hearts of men and women of high degree —has in its wildest expression destroyed empires and wrecked brilliant careers—that are told in FAMOUS CHARACTERS OF HISTORY No Fiction Ever So Thrilling As These True Life Stories Never was there a se with t merit c public dema sider earth, see ther We follow the fo include all the kne 20 Gold Top Volumes Rich Cloth Binding Each Volume 8x 5% inches tof books nt and i after edition tructio: Is itany wonder t od ar as he extends the bounda and we are with hi no matter how costly—that will compare ides of March. it no home ‘or school library of a woman—Cleopatra—wrecked tide of Rome’s destiny and therefore We see how the be ¢ life of Antony, and turned aside th that of the world. History in the form of Biography is our great instructor. famous characters are the b life, though the sea of time we nav unknown sea, It has been traversed or treacherous shoal which is not marke preceded us 5250 Pages Large, Clear Type Extra Heavy Paper 60 Full Page Illustrations SENT NOW bring: Partial List of Famous Characters Every One a Wonderful Personality These are the men and women who made history of their own day, and whose example, guide or warning, is the most precious part of our heritage from the ages. 1. Alexander the Great 2. William the Conqueror . Cyrus the Great 13. Xerxes |. Hannibal 14. Julius Caesar . Pyrrbus 15. Nero . Peter the Great 16. Cleopatra . Genghis Khan 17. Darius the Great . Hernando Cortez 18, Josephine ). Marie Antoinette 19. Queen Elizabeth ). Romulus 20. Alfred the Great 11. Mary Queen of Scots 12. Henry IV. A WONDERFUL BARGAIN NEVER TO BE REPEATED DUMAS GIVEN If You Are ° Prompt . including mas, delivery prepaid. the publisher's price, ha YOUR LAST CHANCE! Price peeces Be Advanced are gone that were made 4 rise in cost of materials, As the resul HEREFORE SEND COUPON TODAY your expense, my S100 to, Name. Address Occupation