Life, 1890-12-25 · page 44 of 51
Life — December 25, 1890 — page 44: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **primarily advertising**, not satire or political commentary. It contains five distinct product advertisements typical of late 19th-century American magazines: 1. **Dr. Grosvenor's Bellcapsic Porous Plasters** — a pain-relief medical product claiming physician endorsement, positioned against "inferior imitations" 2. **Plymouth Rock Pants Co.** — fabric/clothing retailer emphasizing gentlemanly appearance, referencing Lord Chesterfield's advice on dress 3. **Oakley's California Violets** — perfume/essence marketed as "an acceptable holiday gift" 4. **The Decorator and Furnisher** — a home design magazine subscription 5. **An interior design photograph** illustrating decorated rooms There are no identifiable political figures, satirical cartoons, or social commentary. The page reflects period consumer culture: medical patent medicines (often of dubious efficacy), aspirational messaging about gentlemanly appearance, and luxury goods marketed as holiday gifts. The elaborate decorative borders and typography are typical of the era's commercial design.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Prescribed and DR.OROSVENOR'S The Best Porous Endorsed by Oy Plaster in the Physicians as the r Sic Por World-the verdict Best of All. =a ie SE » of Thousands. pmers ke the IC Plasters se 1 that I cannot sell them any other, DWEN ML TEAL, M.D G, Lawrive, Backache, e : idney Pains, Rheumatism, ~ Oy Coughs, Colds, Neuralgia, =—-cive avicn RELIEF FROM PAIN =—— and Pleurisy. Beware of inferior imitations, and insist on the genuine with a picture of a bell on the back-cloth. 25 cents at Druggists, or Crosvenor & Richards, Boston, Mass. OAKLEY’S CALIFORNIA VIOLETS. In Lord Chesterfield’s letters to his son much stress is laid on the desirability of making a handsome ap- pearance, and he is urged to give every attention to his wearing apparel. In our own day the feeling that a well-dressed man is in the world’s good graces cannot be denied, and there isa source of satisfac- tion in wearing good clothes, that is part of human nature itself, Now that clothing is so reasonabte in price, there isno excuse for “seediness.” Besides it doesn’t pay. In our line of foreign and domestic fabrics will be found the fashionable fancies of London and Pans, and no gentleman of correct taste will fail to find the latest patterns in the samples which we will gladly mail on request. If you cannot reack any of our branch stores to examine our line of goods, send your address to our Headquarters, Boston, and we will mail you yarn {ull line of samples, with rules for self-measurement, ° | Be i RIP Plymouth Rock PantsC0. ,xicrsiet. ESSENCE OF 695 Seaagioe ad ns Falesie 88 Ca L I Pr 0 RN fay i VIOLETS} Wecrcentratrd extract | from nalice flwes THE OAKLEY SOAP & ; PERFUMERY COMPANY: NEW YORK j FOR SALE BY ALL DEALERS IN PERFUMERY. In One, Two and Four Ounce Bottles. AN ACCEPTABLE HOLIDAY GIFT. The Decorator and Furnisher. A MAGNIFICENT ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE, Devoted to the One Subject of Home Aporxuest, both in Furnishing and Decorating. It is an Artistic and Practical Answer to Every Inquiry and Want in Beautifying the Home. THE DECORATOR AND FURNISHER:€ Contains Original Designs and Articles on Decoration by the Best Writers and Most Prominent Artists. YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION, 84.00. SINGLE COPIES, 35 Cts. 150 Nassau St. New York. . comicbooks.com