Life, 1885-05-21 · page 5 of 16
Life — May 21, 1885 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The American Peerage" - St. James and Blanc This page from *Life* magazine presents heraldic coats of arms for two prominent Americans, treating them as if they were European nobility—a satirical commentary on American social pretension. **St. James** (Viscount Piccadilly), described as an "unpromising and loyal American," refused his rightful aristocratic rank, preferring American identity. The joke satirizes those claiming European credentials. **James Bluster Blanc**, a "Knight" and "Dictator of Maine," appears to be a fictional character created to mock American self-aggrandizement. The elaborate heraldry—with crests, mottos, and genealogical claims—lampoons how wealthy Americans invented or exaggerated titles and noble ancestry to appear sophisticated. The satire targets American social climbing and the desire to mimic European aristocracy despite the nation's republican ideals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE: THE AMERICAN PEERAGE. COMPILED BY PERK, ULTERIOR KNIGHT FOR MANHATTAN, St. James. 5 St. JAMES, 'Arry, Viscount Piccadilly. This stern, uncom- promising and loyal American, long known as “ The Boston Pet ” (a title which he has since yielded to John L. Sullivan), refused to adopt his rightful rank in the peerage until forced to do so on pain of exile—an alternative which love of his native land made unbearable. _ It is needless to refer to the renown which Viscount ‘’Arry has gained by his novels— written in French, freely interspersed with English ; idyllic in tone; breathing pure faith and aspiration (of vowels); and imbued with strong national feeling. The numerous points of view from which this nobleman has been able to regard mankind with his comprchensive plans for improving the human race, and remaking the earth, have gained for him the proud and hitherto unbestowed title of Lord Camera, Earl of Obscura. Arms : The royal escutcheon of England. Crest: An English walking coat, with the Wales ostrich feathers emergent from the neck, Motto : * Honi Soit Qui ne M'Admire Pas.” Seat : St. James Court, London. Clubs : Bored, Gents and others. Blane. a S BLANE, James Bluster, Knight; Dictator of Maine and Grand Master of the Pennsylvania Hobby Horse. Lineage—Uncertain. Sir Bluster Blane was born President of the United States, in the direct succession to Henry Clay, but waived his claim in favor of G. Cleveland. He was knighted in 1875 at the instance of Bobtail Inglesoul, because his moves on the political chess-board were knight-like—<s. ¢., oblique or crooked. Has won renown by his enterprising manufacture of lie, in con- nection with extensive soap works managed by his friends. Arms: Per chevron, azure and sable; a chevron rompu, argent, between a moon decrescent, a goose-quill pen and an open mouth, argent. [N. B.—This shield is always represented ‘in trick."] Above the escutcheon a helmet with white plume. Crest: Asinister arm, vambraced, holding a letter burning. Motto: ‘Pawn Honor.” Seats: Anxious Seat, Augusta; and Little Rock House, Kansas, Club: Campaign. everything, and I was therefore left to look out for employ- ment and earn my own living—I, a Bostonian ! It was about this time that Pugilism took the place form- erly occupied by the arts and literature. Nature has singu- larly fitted me for the noble calling and my imagination fairly perspires when I contemplated the possibilities in store for me, for, never since the beginning of things has mankind re- spected, honored and worshiped anything or anybody as it does a successful slugger. My mind was at once made up, so tearing myself away from my native city I went abroad, studied under the best masters for several years and then returned to New York to meet the famous bruiser Sullivan, who wrote Pinafore and several other un-Boston-like operas. comicbooks.com