Judge, 1932-03-19 · page 10 of 36
Judge — March 19, 1932 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Go to Europe—Pay Afterwards on the Instalment Plan" This is a satirical advertisement by Joseph Alger proposing that steamship companies let passengers travel to Europe on credit, paying installments afterward based on fond memories of the trip. The comic strip shows a collection agent pursuing a passenger named Van Auk through increasingly aggressive "Dear Sir" letters, each referencing specific travel experiences (the Statue of Liberty, French customs, Parisian bars, taxis, homecoming) meant to emotionally manipulate payment. The final letter threatens legal action. The satire targets two things: the then-popular installment buying system (buying goods on credit) and the assumed reliability of nostalgia as a payment incentive. The joke is that steamship companies would cynically exploit travelers' pleasant memories to extract payment—and that collectors would resort to emotional appeals and threats if sentiment failed.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Go to Europe—Pay Afterwards on the Instalment Plan —Advertisement aN last a legitimate and_ practical use for instalments! The trou- ble with most instalment buying is, you cease to care for what you bought Jong before the last payment is made. But here is a sound ic You go to Europe on faith and pay on pleas ant memories. It will be a cinch for that steamship company to collect, provided it properly stimulates the pleasant recollections of the ex-pas sengers, Here we offer suggestions for let- ters to collect the instalments. And watch that last’ instalment, is our friendly warning. D he Statue of Liberty far astern . the patter of cager feet on the deck... and then the joyous ery, “The bar is open!” Remember? please.) D rR Sin: Ah... the first view of France . and the funny little boat that out to meet you... the perfect- ly killing scenes at the customs . and then the ride to Paris... . “Gosh if the wine is as good as this on th train... what must it be in Pari ... Remember? ($20, please.) D Rr Sinz The little honks of those cata- pults they call taxis neck ride through the union at the Ritz Bar . Bergéres . . . and while we hope we will not have to use this information u were seen at the Rue Blondel. 50, please.) EAR Sir: The U. S. A. once more . foggy pier ... the three-hour w our dear customs. ... Uncle Albert and Cousin Mary . . . the office... . Remember? 0, please.) Ear Sir: You failed to answer our last appeal... may we repeat? ... don't you remember the thrill of getting home once more? . . . old friends . . old places and faces . . . old loves. . ($20, please.) gar Sir: Unless we hear from you by re- turn mail, we shall place this matter in the hands of our attorneys... . SEND $20. Van A uk, Esq. —Josern ALcER comicbooks.com