Judge, 1927-05-28 · page 29 of 36
Judge — May 28, 1927 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **car advertisement**, not political satire. It advertises the Erskine Six automobile, marketed as "The Little Aristocrat." The cartoon at top shows a family at a gas station; a father and children discuss the car's fuel efficiency—they can reach Newport (a wealthy coastal destination) on one gallon. The joke plays on the vehicle's economy. The bulk of the page is advertising copy targeting college students ("Undergraduate America's new car"), emphasizing luxury features—a "rumble seat" for dates, Continental styling, and performance—while claiming affordability at $995. The language is aspirational, associating the car with status ("silken ankle," "aristocrat") and dating/romance appeal ("chic blonde," "double date"). The French phrase at top translates to "This little engine is very economical," suggesting Erskine was marketed internationally. This reflects 1920s American consumer culture: automobiles as status symbols and essential for courting rituals, targeted to youth through lifestyle imagery rather than technical specifications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“CE PETIT MOTEUR EST TRES ECONOMIQUE”"—LE TEMPS, PARIS "One gallon, Dad, and lift anchor. We gotta make Newport by dark.” "Only one2” “Sure! Where'dya think we're goin’— Shanghai? Read the nameplate— it’s an Erskine Coupe!” IINALS (ugh)...then Commencement (ah)...and summer just ahead! Vacation days...soaking up sunshine at the beach...evenings spent with that chic blonde you met at the homecoming game...a smart car ...your own personal car—an Erskine Six Custom Coupe. Undergraduate America’s new car—the Erskine Six—miles out in front of the rest. Dietrich, without a peer among custom body carros- siers, designed it; moulded its lines, endowed it with Continental sophistication. Trim as a silken ankle...inside, room no end for two ... fumble seat behind built just for a double date. High hat in every- thing but price. And can it do its stuff? Yes, sir, and how...slips through jumbled traffic with the ease of an inspired eel... hangs onto the road at sixty like a co-ed at her first prom... climbs up a ski slide in high... handles, wheels around and pulls up like a polo pony. Summer is beckoning —so is “The Little Aristocrat”—a real companion for vacation days. The Erskine Six Custom Coupe, as illustrated, sells for $995 f. 0. b. factory, complete with front and rear bumpers and self-energizing 4-wheel brakes. ERSKINE SIX 4 be NC tHE LITTLE ARISTOCRAT yo 27 comicbooks.com