Life — August 14, 1902 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily an **advertising page** rather than satirical content. It features period product advertisements typical of early 20th-century American magazines. Notable items include: **Egyptian Deities cigarettes**—a Turkish tobacco brand claiming superiority, using an Orientalist marketing approach common to the era. **Century Roadster automobile** ($750)—an early motorcar advertised as ready to ship from Syracuse, N.Y. **Johann Maria Farina perfume**—marketed as "the most fashionable perfume" used by "royal families." **Apollinaris water**—labeled "the queen of table waters." **XVM ironing wax**—a fabric treatment product. **Berman's Pepsin Gum** and **Pompeian Massage Cream**—over-the-counter remedies for common complaints (indigestion, skin care). **Old Crow Rye Whiskey**—straight liquor advertised without restriction (pre-Prohibition). The page reflects early 1900s consumer culture, with emphasis on imported/exotic goods and dubious health claims typical of the pre-FDA regulation era.