Judge, 1920-11-27 · page 31 of 32
Judge — November 27, 1920 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **full-page advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes "Every American's Reference Library," a 10-volume encyclopedia set marketed as essential for any home. The pitch appeals to post-WWI American nationalism: the text invokes sacrifice in "the WORLD WAR" and frames knowledge as the foundation of American freedom and progress. The ad claims this encyclopedia provides answers to questions about history, geography, science, and notable figures—positioning knowledge acquisition as a patriotic duty. The urgency tactic ("ONLY A FEW SETS LEFT!") and payment plan ($1 now, $17 total on monthly installments) target middle-class families. The list of sample topics—from "Head Hunters" to "Lord Kitchener" to "Samuel Gompers"—reflects early 20th-century interests in exploration, current events, and labor figures. The satire is implicit: the ad's grandiose claims that encyclopedias are civilization's foundation itself parody period advertising hyperbole. No actual satirical cartoon is present—this is sincere (if overwrought) commercial messaging typical of *Judge* magazine's revenue model.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
No Home in America Is Complete Without This Set of Books THIS FAMOUS 16-INCH SHELF OF REFER- ENCE BOOKS ELIMINATES ALL DRUDGERY iN THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE The billions of dollars the WORLD WAR for its knox ] ms of Teut of the total cost in life and labor, in brains and blood, of all the h ¢ we inherit today. ns enjoy that lighten at add to its pleasures, that have made us a free people, ever cham- pions of right and justice—our political ; social system rature, art, dustri are the result of know through ages of slow develc rent culable cost in life and treasure. To place all this priceless know within i the reach of all Amer make it | are the h ns of the publishers who have | ca aused th st aggregation of the production | of human b $ abor to be collected, nd presented in immediately accessible form, EVERY AMERICAN’S LAST CHANCE—ONLY A FEW SETS LEFT! o much us iseful_ kno} i orm. of for so little in c More up-to-date than other r c under $40. 3 t } ie se cma f ly $17.00, ments. Com ! 1 thi 1 ; of its the Home! * t rive in your dail he great gives personality anc to success the we ver tol you what you cou It contains about every r today thing that Nature has created, the human mind has conceived, an a igenu ras d + But you must « or pay a higher price FILLS EVERY EDUCATIONAL awl WHETHER YOU WANT TO KNOW that acq’ of fa. | —Where the Head Hunters live —Price paid for Danish West A Splendid 9-Volume Encyclopedia cats'| Meaning. of Frere tise? ingles « ft When Lord Kitchener was History of War Indemnities drowned Temperature of Oxy-acety- | Who Red Cloud was lene Flame Age of Samuel Gompers Who suggested the Hague Location of Kits Coity Hous. Peace Conference Or thousands of other questions about words and their mean- about facts in history, biography and geography, about discoveries in the sciences or developments in the «rts ca | | YOU WILL FIND THE ANSWER IN THESE 10 VOLUMES NSWICK SUBSCRIPTION CO. 418 Brunswick Bldg., New York City tvalue i dd Form tm nd other needs, i Hints in Correct Eng few of the many valuable tight corner in the Office, the and coupon, if you want to © $1.7 pot cash dis count ference Library. § ut extra charge USE