Life, 1888-02-23 · page 16 of 16
Life — February 23, 1888 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertising page**, not a satirical cartoon. The central image—a cherubic baby in a champagne coupe with handwritten text reading "He work be happy til he gets it!"—is a **product endorsement illustration** for Bouché Fils & Co. champagne, presented as humor rather than satire. The page features luxury goods advertisements typical of the Gilded Age: pianos, music boxes, champagne (multiple brands), dress stays, and a laundry wringer. The baby imagery suggests the joke that this champagne brings such happiness even infants desire it—a humorous exaggeration common in period advertising. The handwriting mimics baby speech ("He work be happy til he gets it!"), playing on contemporary sentimentality about children while promoting an adult luxury product. No political satire or specific figures are present; this reflects the magazine's shift toward commercial content rather than editorial commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DECKER MATCHLESS PIANOS 33 Union Square, N. Y. Paillards MUSIC BOXES ARE THE BEST. They play selections from all the Standard and Light Operas and the most Popular Music of. the Day. Send stamp for Descriptive Price List to M. J. PAILLARD & C0., 680 Broadway, New York City. (Factory at STE. CROIX, SWITZERLAND.) | DELBECK+ EXTRA DRY and soroymfioag orquinooig Procurable Everywhere. We offer the DELBECK CHAMPAGNES with a full conviction that there are no better wines imported. WE EXCEPT NONE. E. LAMONTAGNE & Sons, 53, 55 and 57 Beaver Street. DRESS STAYS FINISHED IN THREE STYLES. | ‘Thread, Cloth and Satin Covered. For Sale Everywhere, “BLACK TOP” RROY| War THE BEST CHAMPAGNE. Francis 0. de Luze & Co., Sole Agents, N.Y. HAT. SAV Es BUY THE WRINGER <* PURCHASE GEAR | ERE eR ee ¥ wringers, and cost PIREThe not GREASE The 2 SLOTS Ewe Son Auburn, 0% MONON ROUTE. @)) Louisville, New Albany & 0 The connecting link of Pullman travel between Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville and Florida Resorts. Send for Guide. » O» McCormick, ¢ a. Pp. Ae Chicago. ~ BOUCHE FILS & CO. Vineyards: MAREUIL-SUR-AY, Champagne. Bolid White Rubber ‘wanted everywhere, Empire Branch Houses: NEW YORK, ark BEAVER sian ” PARIS, 23 BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN. Messrs. Boucué Fits & Cai of 37 Beaver Street, New York, beg to inform you | that, as a specialty fo: Holidays, they import their Champagne, Bouché Sec, 13.75 | In Fancy Baskets, 24 half pints. BEERS | 12 hon Pasiess 9 apa In Fancy Baskets, 6 quarts 2 pints . - ' These Baskets are also to be had from Messrs, PARK & TILFORD, | Messrs, ACKER, MERRALL & CONDIT, AND LEADING MERCHANTS. comicbooks.com