Judge, 1923-01-13 · page 27 of 36
Judge — January 13, 1923 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **tire advertisement** disguised as editorial content in Judge magazine. The cartoon depicts a couple in a car descending a steep, rain-soaked hill. The driver confidently assures his companion they'll safely navigate the dangerous descent because he's equipped the car with Kelly-Springfield "Kant-Slip Cord" tires. The "joke" or sales pitch: the advertisement contrasts the anxiety of skidding brakes with the security provided by these tires. The text emphasizes that Kelly tires offer both durability and crucial traction—making them worth the investment on hazardous roads. This represents early 20th-century automotive advertising strategy: using Judge's satirical platform and illustrative style to present product testimonials as humorous scenarios rather than straightforward pitches. The casual dialogue between characters makes the sales message feel like editorial commentary on contemporary driving concerns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PARRACOMBE HILL* “Oh, Larry, do you think can get down this wet hill without a smash?” “Of course we can, dear; I’ve put her in second, and with Kelly Cords under us we can’t slip.” HERE is no more sickening sensation than to feel your car sliding after you have ap- plied the brakes. The driver who rides on Kelly- Springfield Kant-Slip Cord tires does so with the comfortable assurance that he can depend ety Lamencet soak ‘ not only upon their mileage but upon their sure- footedness. It costs no more to buy a Kelly.