Life, 1887-10-06 · page 16 of 16
Life — October 6, 1887 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. It contains commercial notices for luxury goods typical of late 19th-century American markets: pianos, spring water, champagne, cocoa, soap, and tailoring services. The one narrative element is a small joke between an uncle and nephew about a birthday gift. The uncle expects an expensive present but receives only an inexpensive smoking cap costing one shilling and sixpence. The child's tearful response ("Boo-ooh-ooh") suggests either disappointment at giving so little or shame at the uncle's implied ingratitude. The advertisements emphasize genteel consumption—Pears' Soap promises beauty, Baker's Cocoa advertises purity and health benefits, Delbeck Champagne claims superiority. These reflect Victorian-era marketing strategies targeting middle and upper-class consumers through appeals to refinement, health, and status. The page reveals period attitudes about consumption and social aspiration rather than political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DECKER BROTHERS’ MATCHLESS PIANOS 33 Union Square, N. Y. woe PUREST NATURAL WATER Healthful Cooling and Refreshing. Preventive of Bright’s Disease. For Sale by all Druggists and Grocers. SEND FOR CIRCULARKS. THE UNDERWOOD CO. GENERAL OFFICE, 18 VESEY ST., NEW YORK. DELBECK+ EXTRA DRY and sasane Crasg oramananag Procurable Everywhere. We offer the DELBECK CHAMPAGNES ~<a OmPLEXIO we eecee wee. | “Tt KEERS*THE-HANDS-IN: BEAUTIFULSGONDITION- E. LaMontacne & Sons, --O—<AND SORT-AS-VELVET:-—>- 53, 56 and 57 Beaver Street. | “UncLe: So, my dear boy, you haven't forgotter The best for the Complexion. A ‘balm for the Skin.” your uncle's birthday, have you? You have bought this nice smoking-cap to present to me, Thanks | The most economical; it wears to thinness of a wafer. little nephew, Here's a shilling for you. LITTLE Nepiew : Boo-ooh-ooh. "It cost one and | Pears?’ Soap is sold in every City of the World. sixpence.—Ex., GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1878 BAKER'S P77” CAVANAGH, SANDFORD & C0, sey Breaklast Cocoa. |f Gian | eteaaeoe aang Paitetiore ty postal Al wid tena ackeuie Bear AND IMPORTERS, removed. It has three times the strenct.| {CMALE ~EXTEA DEY cra mixed with Starch, Arrowreot nds therefore far BPW severe pHowaco « 16 W. 23d St., opp. Sth Ave. Hotel, as tham one ce id 00 i 55457 BEAVER St NY. —NEW YORK— = boun Agewrs TeR, Sold by Grocers everywhere. ‘ as < , Ladies’ Tailor-made Suits, Riding - J p Habits, Ulsters, Jackets, etc., W. BAKER & C0., Dovehester, Mass, Sega at =740M1 ara comicbooks.com