Judge, 1920-05-29 · page 36 of 36
Judge — May 29, 1920 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The page promotes Topkis brand athletic underwear through Judge magazine. The scene depicts two men (Frank and Bob) showering after sports—golf or tennis—to establish the product's athletic context. The ad emphasizes that Topkis underwear provides "body-freedom" and comfort for active men, making post-exercise freshness worthwhile. The humor is gentle: the dialogue suggests that proper underwear is essential to enjoying athletic activity, a common advertising trope of the era. Prices are listed ($1.65 for unions, $1.00 for shirts-and-drawers), positioning the product as affordable quality goods. This reflects early-20th-century marketing strategies: using Judge's satirical platform to reach educated, affluent male readers by associating the product with leisure activities (golf, tennis) and masculine vitality. The "red-diamond label" serves as the brand's authentication mark.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ot ttt tt ttt + + + + Sa See See SSeS er ee eee ety “What's a bath without a Topkis, eh, Bob?" “You SAID something, Frank!" WILTING round of golf, or a vicious match of tennis The reviving drench of the needle-shower, then intoa fine, fresh suit of toppy Topkis, to make the exercise worth while. And Topkis, more than any other? Assuredly. For ‘Topkis is fashioned from first quality nainsook with the utmost skill of the needle craft, deliberately designed for body-freedom. The prices are exceptionally reasonable, too! ‘That is Topkis, exclusively. Topkis comes in unions at $1.65, also shirts-and- drawers at $1.00 the garment. Available at quality shops. You'll want a half dozen suits at least. Especially at the low Topkis price. Genuine Topkis has the red- diamond label. TOPKIS BROTHERS COMPANY, Wilmington, Del. General Sales Offices, 350 Broadway, New York City Also Makers of Wemen's, Children's and Boys’ Athletic Underwear Underwear comicbooks.com