Life, 1889-05-02 · page 14 of 20
Life — May 2, 1889 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several short satirical jokes typical of 1870s-80s American humor: **The main cartoon** depicts a Jewish immigrant family (Rebecca and Solomon, speaking in Yiddish dialect) discussing a scarcity of actors with dress coats—a joke about struggling immigrant theater workers. **"The Cresus of the Hour"** mocks a wealthy, diamond-bedecked man; Robinson jokes he either rented property during the Centennial celebration or is a furniture mover—satirizing how wealth could be acquired through real estate speculation rather than "respectable" means. **"Modern Instances"** lists Philadelphia's "seven wonders," including John Wanamaker (a prominent merchant) and local features, poking fun at provincial pride. Other jokes reference contemporary issues: Post Office stamp quality, the steamship *City of Paris* being faster than *City of New York*, and banking/theater references. The humor relies on period stereotypes, local references, and assumptions now dated but historically revealing about late-19th-century American attitudes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Rebecca: V¥, SOLOMON, VAT VAS YER DOIN’ MIT ABRAM, Isaac UND CHACOB? Solomon; Hush, REBECCA, MY TEAR. DERE'S SUCH A SCARCITY OF DRESS-COAT ACTORS THAT DEY HAF TO SENT TO ENGLAND FOR EM. MIT BAXTER STREET? THE CRGSUS OF THE HOUR. ONES: Who is that distinguished looking man, blazing J with diamonds ? Rosinson: I don't know; but I'll bet he had a window to rent for the Centennial, or else he’s a furniture-mover ! MODERN INSTANCES. HE Seven Wonders of the World in the mind of a Philadelphian : 1, John Wanamaker. 2. Fairmount Park. 3. Schuylkill Water (filtered ?). 4. Public Buildings (when finished). 5. Chestnut Street after 9 P. M. 6. High License. 7. Cat-fish and Waffles. Link, qe Post-Office Department might have honored the occasion by putting a healthier color on the face of the two-cent stamp. HERE is something in a name, after all. The Cety of Paris has naturally shown herself to be faster than the City of New York. Now VAT's DER MATTER Mother Bear: LEARN ON, EQUAL TO EMERGENCY. ss pb” you bring a field-glass with you?” “Never thought of that; but we can drink out of the flask.” ATTENDED TO. OTEL CLERK: Shall I put your dia- monds in the safe, Mrs. Footlights? DISTINGUISHED ACTRESS: No, thanks; I have already contracted for the season's advertising. HAT’S in a name? alphabet, in Russia. Most of the A BaNkK-BILL—William B, Allison. A STAGE FRIGHT—The ballet dancer. SHAKE HIM, FANNY; HE’LL DO FOR YOU TO