Judge — October 30, 1926 — page 35: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features Judge magazine's weekly crossword puzzle contest (Number 97). The puzzle itself is a standard crossword grid with numbered clues. The notable element is the accompanying announcement: Judge will publish crossword puzzles weekly and pay $25 for submissions—but crucially, "they must be funny." This reflects crossword puzzles' popularity in the 1920s-30s as a cultural phenomenon, while Judge's insistence on humor ties the puzzle format to their satirical mission. The solution grid shown demonstrates a completed puzzle, likely from the previous week's contest. The contributor credited is Miss Marion Miller from New York City. The cartoonish illustrations of children scattered throughout reinforce Judge's irreverent, humorous tone. This represents Judge's attempt to engage readers through interactive, prize-incentivized content while maintaining their comedic brand identity.