Life, 1895-05-30 · page 17 of 22
Life — May 30, 1895 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Williams' brand shaving products to early 20th-century men. The circular illustration shows a barbershop scene where a man, having used Williams' shaving stick, confidently declares he'll buy it again. The advertisement emphasizes practical benefits: the soap won't dry on the face during shaving, the patented metal case won't leak or break during travel, and the product costs no more than competitors while being "worth more." The ad lists three Williams soap products at different price points (10¢ to 40¢) and includes testimonial language typical of the era. The phrase "Genuine Yankee Soap" appeals to American pride. There is **no political cartoon or satire** on this page—it's straightforward commercial advertising from Life magazine's revenue stream, using period-appropriate marketing rhetoric about product quality and reliability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘The next time I buy a shaving-stick, it will be WILLIASIS’ “sic” The Soap—is a rich, creamy white—very delicate in my a Wéndertal obo! lather cover never comes off except when faken off. Case oe and ee ae fh satin neem never breaks—never leaks. No loose piece of soap that never dries on the face while shaving. rolling about In your satchel. The Case—(patented) is a great favorite. The glove-fitting Enough WILLIAMS" STICKS Note—1 WILLIAMS? costs sold tn 1853 to shave over no more than others. 20,000,000 Men. But—it's worth more. WILLIAMS’ SOAPS—in tirce principal forms—are sold by all Dealers, a ‘Willams’ Barbers’ Soap, 40c. “ a < This is the kind your barber should use. Genuine Yankee" Scap, 10c. Willams’ Shaving Stick, 25¢. Ic'is also teost excellent for Toilet user Oldest and most famous cake of shaving Strong, metal-lined case. For Tourists’ Tons of it sold yearly to famivier. soap in the world. Millions using it. and Travelers’ use. Don't fail to ask for 6 cakes in a package—goc, Wirtiams’—and take no other. Srectar o.ree—If your dealer does not have these soaps—we mail them— kinds sent for 75c. in stamps. Address THE J. B. to any address—nostpaid on receipt of price.—All three ndon Office: 64 Gueat Russet St., W. C. . WILLIAMS CO., Glastonbury, Ct., U.S. A.