Life, 1884-01-31 · page 18 of 18
Life — January 31, 1884 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, with one small cartoon. The cartoon (right side, middle) shows two caricatured figures in a dispute over window blinds—one saying "I will never buy any but HARTSHORNS ROLLERS" while the other counters "And I will never sell any but HARTSHORNS!" **The joke**: This is a mock-serious argument about a mundane product (window roller blinds). The exaggerated commitment both figures display to this unremarkable item satirizes contemporary advertising's breathless product endorsements and consumer brand loyalty. It's absurdist humor—the triviality of the dispute is the point. The cartoon likely parodies the era's increasingly aggressive marketing tactics and the newly manufactured "brand loyalty" driving consumer culture in the 1880s. By treating window blinds with the gravity of a serious conflict, Life mocks both advertisers' hyperbole and consumers' susceptibility to it. The rest of the page contains standard period advertisements for fabric, wallpaper, pianos, watches, whiskey, and mineral water—itself supporting the cartoon's commentary on advertising saturation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sbendld, Conrail AS Ce Cotton Dress Fabrics. oa Dr Seeelals Brut. Are now opening their Spring Importation of High Class Novelties in Cotton Dress Goods, ° consisting of Plain and Fancy Printed Tur- LiVinier ace 49 BROADSE NY. quise, Satteens, Printed Diagonals and Otto- colt aneats, mans. “ Jacquard” Woven Satteens, Armures, ‘“ Anderson’s Ginghams, Plain, Checks, and Stripes. Printed Percale Shirtings, &c., &c. Sicilliennes, Also, Paris FOR SALE. An interest in an old established humorous pub- lication now making one hundred per cent. on capital invested. Object, to enlarge the business, Address, WINSLOW, care “ Lr Broadoay KH 19th ot. NEW YORK. Cavanagh, Sanford & Co., Merchant Tailors and Importers, 16 West 23d STREET, WALL PAPER. Decorate and Beautify your Homes, Offices, &c. Opposite sth Ave. Hotel, | New York. Quaint, RARE AND CuRIOUS PAPERS BY EMINENT DECORATIVE ARTISTS. All the latest London Fabrics regularly imported. Close Figures given on Large Contracts. If youintend to sell your house, paper it, SOHMER | PIANOS, ARE PREFERRED BY LEADING ARTISTS. HIGHEST AWARD CENTENNIAL 1876. HIGHEST AWARD MONTREAL 1881 and 1882, 149 to 155 E 14th St., N. Y. as it will bring from $2000 to $3000 more after having been Papered. Samples and Book on Decorations mailed free. H. BARTHOLOMAE & CO., MAKERS ‘AND IMPORTERS, 124 & 126 W. 33D ST., (near B’way,) N. Y. “Gold Watch Free. ‘The publishers of the Capitol City Home Guest, the well- known Illastrated Literary and Fanniy Magene, mabe the fol lowingliberal Offer for the New. verson telling us If there be more than one correct answer, elegant Stem-winding Gentleman’s W a key-winding English Watch, — Each pervon must send 25 ts, with their answer, for which they’ will receive three month«? sub- scription to the Home Guest, a 50 page Illustrated New Year ook, a Case of 25 articles that the Indies will appreciate, and paper containing names of winners, Adres bs, of HOME GUEST, HARTFORD, CONN. BEWARE OF IMITATIONS. THE ONLY GENUINE VICHY IS FROM THE SPRINGS OWNED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. HAUTERIVE Prescribed for the Gout, Rheumatism, Diabetes, Gravel, Diseases of the Kidneys. un &e., &e. CELESTINS GRANDE GRILLE—Diseases of the Liver. HOPITAL—Diseases of the Stomach, Dyspepsia. PRESS OF GILLISS BROTHERS, 75 & 77 FULTON STREET, N. Y. T willnever buyany but And Twill never sell any HARTSHORNS ROLLERS — but HARTSHORNS! DENISON PAPER M’F'G CO, BOOK PAPERS. “Star Mill,” “ Eagle Mill,’ “ Diamond Mill! Boston OFFICE, 12 EQUITABLE BUILDING. MILLS AT MECHANIC FALLS, - - MAINE, Hand-Made Mash Whiskeys. OLD CROW RYE. HERMITAGE, MAYFIELD. 4 TO 12 YEARS OLD. Sour Sold absolutely pure, uncolored, un- sweetened. None sold until four sum- mers old. $3.50 to $9.00 to families. To the trade, at trade prices. Finest Wines and Liquors. H. B. KIRK & CO., 69 Futton Sr., NEW YORK. 158 B'way, COR. 27TH St.