Judge, 1917-09-22 · page 19 of 28
Judge — September 22, 1917 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a fundraising advertisement rather than political satire. "Sammies" is WWI-era slang for American soldiers (from "Uncle Sam"). The page promotes Judge magazine's charitable campaign to send Christmas care packages to American troops fighting in France during World War I. The photograph shows soldiers reading about the initiative and receiving gifts—depicting morale-boosting. The appeal emphasizes emotional appeal: homesick soldiers need comfort items (candy, matches, talcum powder) that remind them of home, not just necessities. The advertisement leverages patriotic sentiment and domestic guilt—asking American civilians to contribute dollars to fill these packages, with the promise that clerical and shipping costs are covered by the American Defense Society, ensuring donations go directly to troops. The cartoonish Santa illustration at bottom reinforces the seasonal, feel-good messaging. This represents mainstream American support for the war effort in 1917, one year after U.S. entry.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
September 22, 1917 What Makes the Sammies Langit They're reading about Judge's Trench Christmas and the personal gift that is go- ing to each American Soldier at the Front. Se Getting the Good News A box of good things i the things the boy wants more than he needs the kind of things he liked to get at home —<— the things that make him remember that Christmas still “is.” Judge has begun to fill his pack, the pack that is going to Europe full of good things for the boys at the front -candy and sweets and talcum powder and matches—little luxuries for men to whom even comfort is a luxury. If the pack is to be full you must contribute. Every cent of your money will go into the purchase of the gifts, for all the clerical expenses and the shipping cost will be taken care of through the generous cooperation of The American Defense Society. Won't You help, too? No matter how small the amount. * Subscriptions of a dollar and over will be listed in our columns, unless the donor requests otherwise. Make checks payable to Leslie-Judge Co. | Address JUDGE'S Trench Christmas Fund, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York comicbooks.com