Life, 1892-11-24 · page 10 of 22
Life — November 24, 1892 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Page 298, Life Magazine This page contains two distinct sections: **Left side ("A Rude Awakening"):** A satirical story about "Reggy Westend," a wealthy but physically underdeveloped young man with poor posture. The humor centers on Reggy's attempt to purchase a custom Fall overcoat to improve his appearance. A tailor points out Reggy is "hollow-chested" and suggests padding, while also mocking his unusually long arms. The satire targets vanity and the false promises of fashion to correct physical deficiencies. **Right side ("A Little Cut Up, But Still in the Ring"):** Two cartoon panels depicting what appears to be a boxing or fighting scene with caricatured figures, suggesting the ongoing theme of physical inadequacy or comic struggle, though specific context is unclear without additional context. Both elements employ physical humor and social satire typical of early-20th-century Life magazine commentary on appearance and class.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE: PROOF. “Ah, 1 have no doubt,” said Reggy, politely; “ but how “6 I T'S the little things that tell.” about the collar?” Adage true, like many others. “That's a small matter,” replied the man cheerfully. * It If you don't believe it—well— can be raised and shrunk in. Your neck is set so far forward Ask big sisters with small brothers on your shoulders that it makes the collar stand out. And then you stoop a little.” “Perhaps one of my shoulders is a trifle higher than the other, too,” said Reggy sarcastically; “or is it the coat ?” “No, the coat is all right; we have the best cutter in New York, and pay him twenty thousand dollar: But we can put some padding under that lower shoulder. “ U-m,” said Reggy, reflectively. Then, as he glanced down and noticed his bare wrists, he remarked in a dangerous tone of voice : “ There is one thing more I'd like toknow. Are you mak- ing your Fall overcoats with elbow sleeves this year?” “ Those sleeves are too short,” admitted the salesman ; “ but they can be let out. You have the longest arms of any man I ever saw. And I noticed it draws a little on the third button A RUDE AWAKENING. EGGY W. figure was built on the symmetrical lines of the young Apollo. At least that was idea of his The faultless frock- coats and cutaways which his tailor turned out gave him the ap- pearance of such grace- ful proportions that he had gained the impression that the symmetry was in the man and not in the garments. He used to tell Shearer that it was “no trouble to fit Azm,” at which Shearer would sigh to himself, and say nothing, for Reggy was a cash customer. The other day, however, Reggy got it into his head that he could save money by buying a Fall overcoat ready made. He was “ so easy to fit, you know !" A LITTLE CUT UP, BUT STILL IN THE RING. So he walked into a celebrated clothing store and cast a critical eye over their stock. The overcoat that pleased his exacting taste was marked $25.00, and Reggy chuckled to himself, for this was less than half the price that Shearer would have charged him for apparently the same article. But when he put on the coat and stood in front of the double mirrors he noticed that, when it came to a”question of fit, Shearer had very much the best of it. “ Er—what’s the matter with this coat?” he demanded. “Itneeds a little pressing out, that’s all. It hangs beautifully,” replied the salesman. “ But it wrinkles in front of the shoulders.” “Yes, you fall in there; you're a little hollow- chested, you know.” Reggy looked at the man in supreme astonish- ment. Could he have understood him ? —what's that ?" he asked. “You see you're hollow-chested, and the over- coat is built for a normally developed person. But a couple of pieces of hair cloth inserted on each side under the lining will remedy that. comicbooks.com