Life, 1888-08-16 · page 1 of 14
Life — August 16, 1888 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page, August 16, 1888 This page contains a single cartoon titled "IN A BOSTON STORE." It depicts three figures examining what appears to be a twisted or contorted piece of fabric or garment. A woman asks about its price; a male salesman responds that it costs "seventy dollars" and is "more expensive on account of the—er—twisted members." The satire likely mocks either: 1. **Excessive pricing** for defective goods, or 2. **Women's fashion** and the absurdity of corsets or twisted garments marketed as desirable luxury items The humor relies on the salesman's awkward euphemism ("twisted members") and the implication that customers will pay premium prices for poor quality. The specific Boston location may reference that city's reputation for commerce or refined taste during this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XII. NEW YORK, AUGUST 16, 1888: NUMBER 294. Entered at the New York Post Office as Second-Class Mail Matter, Copyright, 1888, by Mrrcowau. & Mriier, IN A BOSTON STORE. She: AND WHAT 15 THE PRICE OF THIS ONE? He (cultured): SEVENTY DOLLARS, IT 18 MORE EXPENSIVE ON ACCOUNT OF THE—ER—TWISTED MEMBERS, comicbooks.com