Judge, 1923-01-20 · page 22 of 36
Judge — January 20, 1923 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents mutual artistic tributes between two prominent figures. The large photograph shows **Ignace Jan Paderewski**, the famous Polish pianist-composer and former president, depicted in profile during a performance. The text humorously credits him with simultaneously playing piano one-handed while conducting orchestras and directing Poland's political destiny—a satirical exaggeration of his dual roles as artist and statesman. It also notes his popularity with women ("matinee idols in femininity"). The small caricature represents **Ralph Barton**, the cartoonist who drew Paderewski above. The text sarcastically praises Barton's prolific output across theater curtain painting, drawing, and caricature work, while noting his substantial income. The "pass the laurel" concept suggests mutual professional respect between the two creative figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Please pass the Laurel To Ignace Jan Paderewski (drawn by Ralph Barton), composer-pianist-ex-Polish president - politician. He plays piano with one hand, directs an orchestra and the destinies of his own fair Poland with the other. One of the greatest ma idols in femininity. To Ralph Barton (drawn by himself), probably the most indefatigable theater curtain painter in captiv- ity. He also draws pic- tures, caricatures and as large a salary as anybody east of the Pacific and west of the Atlantic. comichooks.colm