Life, 1883-09-20 · page 16 of 16
Life — September 20, 1883 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **commercial advertising page** with one small satirical cartoon. The main visual content is a circular vignette showing two well-dressed men—one firing a toy pistol while the other reacts in exaggerated alarm. The caption reads: "THE TOY PISTOL. 'DIDN'T THINK I COULD GET 'EM BOTH, GRANDPA.' (HE DID THOUGH!)" The joke appears to be a gentle domestic humor piece: a grandfather is surprised his toy pistol is effective enough to startle both his grandson and possibly a grandmother simultaneously—playing on the unexpected power of a toy. The page is otherwise filled with period advertisements for carpets, rugs, champagne, bicycles, pens, and other goods typical of late 19th-century American commerce. The "Esterbrook Steel Pens" ad features a brief dialogue joke about brand loyalty ("I will never buy any but Hartshorns Rollers..."). **No major political or social satire is evident.** This appears to be a typical magazine page mixing modest humor with revenue-generating advertisements.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ARNOLD, CONSTABLE&CO. Fine Imported and Domestic CARPETS, GUARANTEED OF THE BEST MANUFAC- TURE, in exclusive designs and colorings. N. B.—The above are offered at prices greatly re- duced from last season. RUGS, In Extensive Variety. Axminster Whole Carpets in private patterns and | made to order. Broadway & pun Street. THE EXTENSION TO THE HOFFMAN HOUSE (Mr. JOHN B. SNOOK, Architect.) IS BEING FURNISHED WITH DRAINAGE py THE DURHAM HOUSE DRAINAGE CO., 187 BROADWAY. 1 will never buy any but Ana wil eer self any HARTSHORNS ROLLERS — but HARTSHORNS! BSTERBROOK Leading Nos : 14, 048, 130, 333, 161. For Sale by all Stationers. * ‘THE ESTERBROOK STEEL PEN CO., Works, Camden, N.J. 26 John St, New York, STEEL PENS nec en * ssen 520 Boube New-York: “CHAMPAGNES Boucue Fits & Company, WINE GROWERS, MAREUIL SUR-AY (Champagne). BRANCH HOUSES: 23 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris ; 37 Beaver Street, New York, Are now shipping their Cuvees of 1878 Wines, the quality’ of which will make them rank among the finest ever eee Diy into the United States. MAXIMUM, Very NAPOLEON'S CABINET, Extra Dry. DRY VERZENAY. For SALE BY ALL THE Best WINE MERCHANTS AND GROCERS THROUGHOUT THE STATES. Columbia Bicycles & Tricycles THE POPULAR Rapid Transit Steeds For PLEASURE oR Business. New illustrated (36 page) Cata- logue sent for 3 cent stamp, Sure Cure for Tad Bevath, Sour Stomach, Headache, = rem ail iow sed Gest abeeuonset the fe het ins Che ically prepared trom young roots duet asta dae Ba NOTICE. eee famous Steel Pens com, LN r, y Back Numbers of Lire from Vol. I, Ses No. 1, may be had on application to the office, 1155 Broadway, New York. lvison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., N. Yo & THE POPE M’F'G CO., | 573 WASHINGTON Sr., Boston, Mass. Press of Gilliss Brothers, 75 & 77 Fulton Street. N.Y. comicbooks.com