Judge — February 22, 1919 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "Extravagance" Cartoon This four-panel satirical comic from Judge (February 22, 1919) critiques wartime or post-war consumer spending excess. Each panel shows a shopper encountering increasingly outrageous prices: 1. **Top left**: A child buys candy for 1¢ 2. **Top right**: Neckties cost 50¢ 3. **Bottom left**: A car costs $345 4. **Bottom right**: An unidentified item costs $7,500 The title "Extravagance" suggests the cartoon mocks either merchants' inflated pricing or consumers' willingness to pay during economic transition (post-WWI). The progression from trivial to absurd prices creates humor through escalation. The art style and period indicate this responds to contemporary inflation concerns and perceived profiteering. The specific figures/merchants remain unclear without additional context.