Life, 1889-09-19 · page 17 of 18
Life — September 19, 1889 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon satirizes Victorian-era body modesty anxieties. Two ballet dancers discuss summer vacations: one went to the shore but won't admit it publicly, claiming she "couldn't bring herself to face the public in a fashionable bathing suit." The joke hinges on the contradiction: ballet dancers perform near-naked on stage nightly, yet feel embarrassed wearing the modest (by modern standards) bathing costumes of the 1880s-90s. The humor mocks how absurdly restrictive social conventions were—a performer comfortable in theatrical attire finds beach wear scandalous. This reflects the Victorian obsession with propriety and the paradox of acceptable versus unacceptable female exposure depending on context. The page is otherwise filled with period advertisements for tailoring, china, photography, and hotels.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Kodak “Vou press the button, we ‘do the rest.” The only camera that anybody can use with- out instruction. The Price, $25.00. Loaded for 100 Pictures. For sale by all Photo. Stock Dealers. Send for copy of Kodak Primer with sam- ple photograph. LADIES’ TAILOR, 891 FIFTH AVENUE. Ladies visiting New York are cordially in- vited to inspect my NOVELTIES For the coming season. Samples forwarded on application, A Perfect Fit Guar- : anteed without per- " sonal fitting. HAVILAND CHINA AT FIRST HANDS. No. 1265. OPEN STOCK. for season 1889-90 are 3 Do not forget.that we are furnishing the finest goods at reasonable prices. If you cannot examine our stock in person, write us, and we will send you samples upon receipt of a deposit to cover their value. FRANK HAVILAND, Near Astor House, 14 Barclay St., New York. New shar now in s\ QUITE TOO EXTREME, First Ballet-Dancer: WELL, Lit, WHERE DID YOU SPEND YOUR VACATION; AT THE SHORE? Second Bailet-Dancer; NO, 1 WENT TO THE MOUNTAINS, I COULDN'T BRING MYSELF TO FACE THE PUBLIC IN A FASHIONABLE BATHING SUIT, Feeley & Lollinger (Formerly with Krakauer) 26 West 19th Street. Ladies’ Tailoring and Dressmaking Establishment. Their experience in London and with Krakaver enables them to of- * fer stylish and novel designs at very attractive prices, Ladies resid- ing out of town can have their gar- ments made by sending measure- ment and bodice. Riding Habits a Specialty. uk FALL IMPORTATIONS now arriving or THE RICHEST FABRICS axp HIGHEST NOVELTIES tx Silks, Velvets and Dress Goods For WEDDING, EVENING, RECEPTION AND STREET COSTUMES. 12628 Cheol St Philadel: HOTEL VENDOME,BOSTON. COMMONWEALTH AVENUE. Unsurpassed by any hotel in the country for the beauty of its surroundings, the excellence of its accommodatioas, and the high order of its patronage. Most desrable for wealthy families and tounsts. C. H. Greenleaf & Co., Proprietors. Also, PROFILE HOUSE, White Mountains, N. H. The largest summer resort hotel in New England, LENA (of New York City): And you are going to marry, Ella? ELta (of Chicago): Yes; 1 thought 1 would for a while. —Sun. oring, 27 East zoth Street. Esti- mates and Original Designs furnished. Direct Importer of Dress- Making and Ladies’ Tail- the latest novelties in Cloaks, Wraps, & Reception and Street Costumes. comicbooks.com