Life, 1893-01-05 · page 4 of 60
Life — January 5, 1893 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Pears' Soap Advertisement This is primarily a **product advertisement** rather than political satire. The page promotes Pears' Soap, which had won "20 International Awards" (noted in the box). The accompanying illustration shows a tree branch with birds, accompanying the slogan "Fine feathers may make fine birds." The ad uses this to argue that superior quality lies in the soap itself, not packaging or perfume—unlike competitors who charge extra for boxes and scent. The text emphasizes that Pears' costs only 15 cents because its "fineness is in the soap itself," and boasts freedom from fat and alkali that make other soaps disagreeable. This appears designed to position Pears as an honest, value-focused alternative to fancier competitors relying on marketing gimmicks.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
—— cane | The ) }) By Je Efi RS Son P. 20 ist e j12mo, INTERNATIONAL 6 51 Ga ier coma Siuatow — AWARDS. WGre AG} Hoj Cine feathers way mane Tine birds”: — ae | Byva 4 My Belt bella ee | Large } $4 y 6 Fine feathers may make fine birds, but fine boxes Ma and scent do not make fine soap, not even if the price A sauar is high. The finest soap in the world is Pears’—the | , fineness is in the soap itself—and the price is strangely | Poe ie si " By |} low, for a reason, however—15 cents. B by This is Pears’ unscented. There are three variations upon io it; scented, otto of rose, and shaving stick. They are all the é same, except shape and perfume. ail There is also Pears’ Glycerine Soap, which is scented. Th (Some skins are wholesomely touched by glycerine; some are 7 not. If yours is not, of course you avoid it in soap. ) All cqually fine as soaps; but perfume is costly; especially otto of rose. You may, or may not, care for it. ) Ar The distinguishing features of Pears’ is this: the fineness is in the soap. i. What is it?) What constitutes fineness Movnung stort in soap? It is freedom from fat and alkali. Have vou used arg the only Fat k li bl Ikali bit PEARS ‘at makes soap disagreeable; alkalt bites, Sire Soapt (2 makes tender, inflames. subject art of ar dow dey Most toilet soaps are imperfectly made. They depend on | axtier boxes and perfume. A box that costs five cents adds forty cents to the price of the soap sometimes. comicbooks.com