Life, 1897-12-04 · page 32 of 34
Life — December 4, 1897 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. It contains four product advertisements from the early 1900s. The small cartoon at top right shows two well-dressed men in top hats discussing hat brands—a mild social joke about snobbish fashion consciousness. One assures the other that only a "Knox" hat is acceptable, with the response "quite right" and "ta-ta"—mocking upper-class pretension and their affected speech patterns. The other ads promote: - **Murray & Lanman's Florida Water** (cologne/toiletry) - **Vici Leather Dressing** (shoe polish) - **Sohmer Pianos** (musical instruments) Each ad uses period-typical marketing appeals: luxury, sophistication, and endorsement by the elite. The Sohmer ad emphasizes preference "by the Leading Artists," while the hat cartoon ridicules the same aspirational snobbery the ads themselves exploit. The humor is gentle social observation about class anxieties and conspicuous consumption—not biting political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ME DEAM BOY, 1 ASSURE VOU THAT A KNOX HAT 18 THE ONLY HAT, DONCHERKNOW.” QUITE RIGHT, TOMMY. AND WE MUST BH than a box of the genuine CORRECT. OLD BCR. MUSTN'T WEE TAATA! Murray & Lanman’s FLORIDA WATER Delightful for the HANDKERCHIEF, TOILET and BATH. Most refreshing after Shaving. No sweeter or more acceptable CHRISTMAS BOX can be suggested THE CELEBRATED - | Heads the List of the Highest-Grade Pianos, and Are at f d , Preferred Attracts Attention =) S S e =) =) S =) S —) S : =) Seat et S | present an ; . by the S \ 5) S >) S The shoe that is polished with Vici Leather @® = 3) S S = S =) S S 5) S =) Se = S >) S 5) ee =) the Most ° Leading Dressing looks new, looks soft, looks com- Popular and 4 Artists. fortable, looks right. VICI Sa DRESSING is the peer of all shoe polishes for men’s, women’s and children’s shoes, as Vici Kid is the king of all leathers for style and wear. Ask your dealer. An Illustrated book of Instruction “How to Buy and Care for your Shoes,” mailed free, ROBERT H. FOERDERER, Philadelphia, Pa, SOHMER & CO., WAREROOMS : Nos. 149 to 155 East Fourteenth St., New York. Je1.< | — A CAUTION. fond the zenuine S-0-fettee- Pam TUNUTUNUTUNUMUNUNUNUNUMUMUMUNUNUTUNURUMUPUrU MUTE with one of a similar sounding name o}