Life, 1888-06-21 · page 18 of 18
Life — June 21, 1888 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertisements**, not satire or editorial cartoon. It represents typical late-19th-century commercial messaging with several notable historical details: The **Pears' Soap ad** prominently promises "Fair white hands" and "Bright clear complexion"—language reflecting period beauty standards and racial attitudes now recognized as problematic. Other ads showcase era-typical products: the Remington typewriter (relatively new technology), Columbia bicycles and tricycles (the bicycle boom of the 1880s-90s), and gentlemen's accessories like the Armstrong garter and Potter Brace (orthopedic support). The **Baker's Breakfast Cocoa** advertises purity and economy, emphasizing removal of oil and superiority over mixed varieties. Overall, this reflects Gilded Age consumer culture and advertising conventions, including problematic beauty standards and product claims that would be considered false or offensive by modern standards. The page documents what companies sold and how they marketed to middle-class men in 1888.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
3 LI F E % ; ENE 21, 1888. REMINGTON Pears Soap ) _,| Fair white hands. Brightclear complexion Soft healthful skin. FOR SALE BY ALL GENTS’ FURNISHERS. TYPEWRITER WYCKOFF, SEAMANS & BENEDICT. 327 BROADWAY, - NEW YORK. Nore.—Our un fenge for a test of all Writ- ing Mach unaccepted. Send for copy if interested. Gunmen PEC LES fess nisl RICYCLES Shs TANDEMS acaneins HIGHEST GRADE ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE: FREE ——* Pope Mra.Co. 79 FRANKLIN ST- BOSTON Bewo2Wannen swe Yon Houses||291 WABASH AVE.cHICAGO DECORATION FURNITURE Cur TAINS 133 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK PDELBECK-— EXTRA DRY and SIMPLICITY, STRENGTH and COMFORT, WITHOUT RUBBER. Ei o rm) El | fa td EA & om Ei Le a Dp o | pa is < td EA re] 6G dD n Fa fa "NAAONS UTANTGSAS SNTWATINGS LLU LOW FHL THE ARMSTRONG §. §. GENTLEMEN'S GARTER, Made without Rubber! ‘The Elasticity is given by Nickel-Plated Brass Springs, like the Ventilated Garter for 1a: given such universal satis! recommended by the Medical Fraternity as the only garter to wear for health and comfort. . The best garter for either hot GOLD MEDAL, a 1878. BAKER Bredklast Cac Warranted absolutely pure Cocoa, trom which the excess of Oil has been removed. It has three times the strength of Cocoa mixed with Starch, Arrowroot or Sugar, and is therefore far more economi- cal, costing less than one cent a Procurable Everywhere. coro yahioag, o[quanoorg We offer the DELBECK CHAMPAGNES 3 or cold climate. with a full conviction that there are no better wines imported. WE EXCEPT NONE. For Sale by all First-class Dealers in Notions and Furnishings. MANUFACTURED BY > THE ARMSTRONG MFG. CO. It is delicious, nourishing, ngthening, easily digested, and I", admirably adapted for invalids a4 well as for persons in health. . Sold by Grocers everywhere. comicbooks.com