Life, 1897-12-02 · page 20 of 26
Life — December 2, 1897 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertising page** from Life magazine (circa early 1900s, based on styling). The single cartoon at top-left is minimal satirical content. ## The Cartoon The brief joke depicts two turtles ("Cheloniida"). One asks why the other has become "stuck up of late." The answer: "One of his twin brothers was sold as a terrapin last week." **The humor**: A social commentary on pretension—the turtle is acting superior because a sibling was sold commercially as food, suggesting he's adopted airs based on (unfortunate) family notoriety. It's gentle mockery of snobbish behavior rooted in dubious circumstances. ## The Advertisements The bulk of the page consists of patent medicines, clothing, spirits, and toiletries typical of the era—including **Vin Mariani** (wine tonic), whisky brands, hair restorer, and a "garter clasp." These ads reflect Edwardian consumer culture and the pre-FDA era when dubious health claims were unregulated.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE: Q p) Brilliancy, Color and Flavor are the tests of the purity ( st bee Kal and quality of Ale. A bottle y of Evans Silk Petticoats, a with its froth of e cream, amber hue, House Gowns, sparkling brilliancy and mellow flavor will make a con- | noisseur of the Corsets. most casual aie drinker, R m BD s9tb ate | At your Club. Paris Lingerie. Dressing Sacques, NEW YORK. To those afflicted with INSOMNIA We offer the best remedy iat Fe) = world; one that rarely ¢ “WHAT MAKES CHELONIIDA SO STUCK UP OF LATE?” matired 7 None my “ONE OF HIS TWIN BROFHERS WAS SOLD AS A TERRAPIN LAST WEEK.” YZ oe | HOTEL VENDOME—BOSTON waver oe ave Accessible tocation, excellent table, prompt service, Malaria 2 ray only of reputable dealers, HB, KIRK & C0, Agents for the Pleasant Boston ’ ses ~ Garter ARI < Gy Easy and. and The Ideal French Tonic : ine cata Sup FOR BODY AND BRAIN Since 1863, Endorsed by Medical Faculty Eine t heel immediate lasting efficacious + agreeable ne. E D. Pl NAU D's 37.Bourevano of Strassouns. fly} FAT DE, QUININE. THIS REMARKABLE TOILET PREPARATION, GstionButTon TE AU HAIR DE MAS NO CQUALFOR BEAUTIFVING THE — CLASP — TIVE DANDRUFF CURE. AND WICCARTERAFEW APPLICATIONS ONE Lies flat tothe leg. THe OAC SSING TABLE OF EVERY CENTE CHAM Ano CtwTLEWOoRAN. THESCALPNEW LIFE AND VIGOR. Cannot Unfasten Accidentally. SoLo HE; ON'T let Whisky get the best of you. — Pi beae ae ™ & D Get the BEST of Whisky, which is the Sikset Cottas® GENUINE DISTILLERY BOTTLING of Box bos. en Boston,Mass. Old Pepper Whisky e AND OLD CLOTHING... Establiabed 1814. { = Henry Clay Rye MENRY KEEN, Tailor. BOTrLeD AND DISTILLED ONLY BY Ss. E. PPE c CO., Lexingt , Ky. 114 High Holborn, London, W. C. JAS. E. PEF R & CO., Lexington, Ky Under the same Formula for more than 100 YEARS, is guaranteed be wrongs If you absolutely the PUREST and BEST in the world. know the trath, seal Patronize American Industries 2223) SAMPLE CASE, $15.00 Sssenitstmtangeuttnasas —wear KNOX HATS $27" The Genuine has Patented Coupon. READ IT!