Life, 1895-05-23 · page 17 of 18
Life — May 23, 1895 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertising page** from Life's early years, not a political cartoon. The page features Victorian-era product advertisements rather than satire. The main illustration shows a **Crescent Bicycle advertisement** depicting two well-dressed figures (a woman in a large skirt and a man in formal wear) posing with a bicycle. This represents the bicycle craze of the 1890s—a genuine cultural phenomenon when bicycles symbolized modernity, independence, and leisure for middle and upper-class Americans. The page includes three bicycle manufacturers competing for sales: Crescent, Monarch, and Simpson Crawford & Simpson (featuring dressmaking services). Other ads promote Hair Cloth fabric and announce Life magazine Vol. XXIV. **The satirical element**: Life magazine itself, visible at bottom, was selling bound volumes—suggesting the magazine's popularity warranted collected editions as luxury items. The content reflects 1890s consumer culture, when bicycles were novel, expensive luxury goods ($40-$90 was substantial money), and symbol of progressive society—particularly women's increasing freedom and mobility.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Do you realize the Continual Enjoyment in riding a Crescent Bicycle ? Our 1895 MODELS are [as in improvements —in the perfec tion of every part of the machine, LAL SE watch makes the Crescent” the easiest-running, most durable aud most satisfactory Bicycle of the day —and the wheel having the Largest Sales on this continent. The American people have appropriated the Cresceat Bicycles as the best product of the Bicycle Manufactory; they give satisfaction every time. iter of de his ne the Our Seven Models for Ladies and Girls, Men and Boys make the best and most complete line of Bicycles on the market. Men’s 875 ten $50 and $40 . isses', ris’, CRESCENT SCORCHER, 20 Ibs., $90. Send for our Handsceme 1896 Catalogue. Factory, Chkayo, lll, WESTERN WHEEL WORKS, Eastern Branch, 35 Barclay St,, N.Y. Sy VEVTEVTETVCEVTETVTETVSEVTVTVTVVVVBD sHair Cloth ¢ Is Paramount ; $ ITS UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND PROVES IT. There are good imitations, but you can tell which is which by testing a single strand of the weft. Hair when pulled is elastic, Fibre and Cotton will not stretch. » Cc E. Pervear, A; 5 Don’t condemn Hair CLotH because ot ea enn Be 2 The » latest in Tailor Gowns, Riding Habits, Reception, Wedding and Carriage Costumes, Cycling, Tennis, Yachting and Golf Gowns made upon shortest notice at Simpson, Grawford & Simpson's Dressmaking Department, Sixth Ave., 19th to 20th Sts, MONARCH. KING OF ALL BICYCLES. FIVE STYLES. WEIGHTS, 18 to 26 POUNDS. Prices, $85 and $100. MONARCH CYCLE CO., Factory and Maln Office: Lake and Halsted Sts., Chicago. Eastern Branch: _ 79 Reade St., New York. THE C. F GUYON CO., Ltp., Managers, -LIRE: VOL. XXIV. Now Ready, Bound in Maroon and Gold, Green and Gold, and Full Black. the worthlessness of imitations and substitutes. Wear what is light, cool, and resilient. Hair CLotH will not break or crush; imitations will. ASK YOUR DEALER FOR OURS. WE DO NOT SELL AT RETAIL. atta thn he font te fo te in te thn to “he Yo th tn “hp Sn tp te ton ty te nn PRICE $5.00.