Life, 1897-07-15 · page 20 of 20
Life — July 15, 1897 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, with a small central cartoon labeled "Life's Comedy." The ads promote period products: Pears' Soap, Old Crow whiskey, Vin Mariani wine (a cocaine-laced tonic), Whitman's chocolates, and Hartford Single Tube Tires. The central cartoon depicts a figure at a table in exaggerated distress—likely satirizing the absurd health claims made by these products. Charles Gounod (the famous composer) is quoted endorsing Vin Mariani, lending celebrity credibility to dubious tonics. The satire is implicit: Life magazine profits from advertising these patent medicines and tonics while simultaneously mocking their over-the-top promises through the cartoon. Modern readers should note Vin Mariani's cocaine content was legal and openly sold in the 1890s as a "tonic for body and brain." The page reflects turn-of-century American consumer culture and unregulated pharmaceutical marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Be sure you get Pears. ialf the fun of getting up in the morn-| ng is in washing with Pears’ Soap. Senuine Pea: genuine fun. skin cle: skin, a re dangerous—be euro you get Pears’ Soap Burlington —Houte BEST LINE sHICAGO ssl ST. LOUIS ST PAUL MINNEAPOLIS For all purposes of a tonic and stimulant, no Other whiskey can compare with OLD CROW RYE. Itis the purest and best, the oldest brand, | more carefully made, and costs more the day it is made than any other in the United States. These are facts that cannot be gainsaid. It is not sold until well matured. Compare with any other, and you will ever after use this brand. Buy only of reliable houses. H. B. KIRK & CO., 69 Fulton Street, Also Broadway and 27th Street. July 15, 18%) VIN MARIAN! MARIANI WINE— THE IDEAL FRENCH TONIC—FOR BODY AND BRAIN. “HONOR TO VIN MARIANI, THAT ADMIRABLE WINE WHICH SO OFTEN HAS RESTORED MY STRENGTH.” CHARLES GOUNOD. Write to MARIANI & CO. for Descriptive Book, 75 PORTRAITS. 62 W. 15th ST, fants: (14. Hagemann, 2 tae DON + £39 Oxford St. LIFE’S COMEDY. ARE YOU FOND OF Printed on Magnificent Paper inthe se ee ee ee HIGHEST STYLE OF THE... PRINTER’S ART? Then Subscribe for LIFE’S COMEDY, Published Quarterly at $1.00 A YEAR By wwe LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1g West Thirty-first Street, New York City RICHARD K. FOX PRESS, EW YORK. Indorsements and Autographs of Celebrities | © 8 open your month, shut and Tit give you cometh 2 — If you would be wise in candy wis dom and know the delicious flavor ci the best confections made, get WHITMAN'S Chocolates and Confections Sold everywhere. Ask for them. SON, Phitadetptis, BREEDS RESPECT FOR THEIR MATCHLESS QUALITIES OF DURABILITY» RESILIENG HARTFORD RUBBER WORKS CO HARTFORO CONN. USA. BOSTON, CHICAGO. BUFFALO. NeW YORK BHILADELPNIA AND MINNEABOLIS. LIFE BINDER, Cheap, Strong and Durable. WILL HOLD... 22G NUNBERS. Mailed to an of the United Stats Y For $3.00. Address Office of LIFE. 19 West Thirty-First St