Life, 1897-01-07 · page 17 of 20
Life — January 7, 1897 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertisements** with one cartoon illustration. The central image shows a conversation between an elderly Black man and a young child, using dialect speech. The caption reads: "You ain't forgot dat maximum I tole you yesterday, is you, Sammie?" / "No, grand-dad, 'a bird in de han' is wuff two on de roost.'" This depicts a **stereotypical scene of a grandfather teaching a child folk wisdom**—specifically the proverb "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." The cartoon uses exaggerated dialect typical of early 20th-century racial caricature to present this as humor. The surrounding content is commercial: ads for Armour beef extract, Whitman's chocolate, Steinway pianos, Norell eau de cologne, and Williams shaving stick. This was standard Life magazine format, mixing satirical content with period advertising. **Context a modern reader misses:** The dialect and visual caricature reflect deeply racist stereotyping common to the era, presented as family warmth rather than satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Always A ppetizing. At times when you relish nothing, a cup of Bouillon made from c) / Extract ot BEEF restores the appetite, gives a feeling of comfort and drives away fatigue. Itsmaking is the matter ofa moment. Requires only the addition of boiling water and a pinch of salt. Send for our little book of “Culinary Wrinkies.” Armour & Company, Chicago. CHOCOLATE. SHOW TO) Take three di Ss wt S2USE IT. a'cop of bollin BS water or milk. Stir brial “YOU AIN'T FORGOT DAT MAXIMUM I TOLE YOU YESTIDAY, IS YOU, SAMMIE 2?” ““NO, GRAND-DAD, ‘A BIRD IN DE HAN’ IS WUFF TWO ON DE ROOST.'” STEIN WAY Pre-eminently tho best Pianos made; ex- ported to and sold in all art centres of tho globe, and endorsed and preferred for private and public use by tho greatest artiste and acientiats. Illustrated Catalogues mailed free upon application. STEINWAY & SONS, 10/-111 E. 14th St, NEW YORK. G bo (p combined with Reniarkable Delicacy The most refined Perfume.and to-day the Standard in alt civilised countries. LIKE A GREAT SEA OF FOAM IS ITS eee THE J.B.WILLIAMS C A CLASTONBURY, CONN, HAT etstis atom e