Judge, 1918-12-28 · page 31 of 33
Judge — December 28, 1918 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **book advertisement**, not a political cartoon. The page promotes "The Complete Works of Guy de Maupassant" and a companion collection of Paul De Kock's stories in the "Verdun Edition" (published December 28, 1918—just after World War I ended). The top illustration shows genteel domestic scenes—people reading, at pianos, in drawing rooms—meant to appeal to middle-class subscribers. The central image depicts a woman alarmed by something (illustrating "A False Alarm," one of Maupassant's stories). **The satire is subtle**: the ad celebrates Maupassant as capturing "life at its maddest" with unflinching realism, yet the illustrations show refined, comfortable domestic settings—the opposite of the gritty human drama Maupassant actually depicted. This contrast between marketing aspiration and literary content is the joke: promising sophisticated readers access to "pitiless" social observation while showing them cozy parlor scenes. The $1.00 coupon offer targets cost-conscious consumers in post-WWI America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDG nquette.) stirring ificently he words ximilian human one has beauty con- n. The ng trifle. Lutece. playing ouple of Maurice charm. 1 with ambois issuing city of +s from ds and Juver rt know pub- last enty- over in n girls ticle N. J. you with Ly of w of hear y, 1 sen, Jecember 28, 1918 maddest —emotions that baffle description —experiences that run the gamut of every folly and crime tures with a candor and art that defy imitation apes him. His stories are full of life is action in every line. He never pauses to argue or moralize. s hands, Events serve more powerfully than Sermons to exalt virtue and condemn vice Every Maupassant s a fresh surprise. is alw the fascination of unexpected situations. n—one of hundreds wl in his inimitable \ FALSE ALARM is a sh most characteristic ve way, he shows up the fe f hot-blooded youth conder there seas consternation and dismay in the little apartment that-sheceas nearls prosifa terror! For cchat single element of the direst tragedy seas there lacking in the situation for her? But Maupassant, de I rules and precedents, as he docs conventions, tells it just as it happened, and after many thrills, Wil enjoy hearty laugh when you read this stor which is literally translated. as are all his other marvelous stories, and novelettes in this superb Verdun Edition of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF GUY ee ee eae Greatest of my Writers Maupassant is famous in all civilized lands as the suy master of the short story. Ile the most exact transcriber of life in literature. In comparison with his novels and stories, all othe labored. His C passions which stir most n and women t action did not stay Maupass. i partial ha » long as this 1 humanity existed. But pitiless as is art, at times he surprises with a touch of tender pathos in which we rec- ognize the warm heart of a fellow man us 5,500 Pages That Will Hold You Chained by the Hour All of Maupassant's Stories, Novelettes Entertainment for a Thousand Love and Life in Strange Lands Paris, the Orient, The African Hinterland. Stories of War, Crime, Mystery and Horror. Novels, A FALSE ALARM GIVEN TO PROMPT SUBSCRIBERS Paul DEKock’ S MERRY TALES NOW READY The Verdun Edition COMPLETE—UNEXPURGATED ‘Few | American rv ricgated life of that larger : Dw this smiling writer of orld ahie hhepeopleswith 17 Volumes Rich Cloth Binding-Gold Tops ics of the petits bour men and women of every Each Volume 8',.x5!; inches. Big, Clear 12 Point seois and the Parisian eri caste and Type on Pure White Antique Paper But DE KOCK S But to The Best Translated, Bound, Printed, and Illustrated of all English Editions A Marvelous Offer t everything that i Maupats ant 1 TODAY or the equiv g over 7,500 Pp: containir AND COUPON Now Instalment Price, $2 Y save the $2.00 cas comicbooks.com Sete casera eae Jee