Life, 1902-12-04 · page 5 of 24
Life — December 4, 1902 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon satirizes a wealthy couple discussing a coronation (likely British, given the crown imagery and "Delhi" reference to a British imperial ceremony). The Baron tells his wife he'll "settle a million on her" as an allowance—the joke being that even massive wealth seems inadequate for high society spending. The secondary article "The Coronation" mocks Anglo-Saxon pretension during imperial ceremonies while noting Chicagoans' pride. The final joke panel ("A Price on His Head") appears to comment on society's superficiality and materialism. Overall, the page satirizes Gilded Age wealth disparity, aristocratic excess, and American social climbing through ironic commentary on lavish spending and imperial pageantry.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ZepyrigAt, 1902, by Life Putiianing Go. She: PAPA 18 GOING TO SETTLE A MILLION ON UF. The Baron: tuat’s WeLt, NoW I CAN GIVE YOU 4 SUITABLE ALLOWANCE. The Coronation. L ADY CURZON having + tostand at the foot of the throne while her hus- band is being crowned in the King’s stead at Delhi will, we may rest assured, be productive of no popu- lar tumult in Chicago. The coronation at Delhi signalizes Anglo-Saxon sn- premacy. Accordingly, it behooves Anglo-Saxons generally to look pleasant while the business is on, and in no case to exhibit the evidences of disgrun- tlement that should feed rebellious hopes in the breasts of the subject heathen. Chicagoans are a proud people. Their hearts ache. But they will not forget the large proprieties of the occasion. ae T WANT a picture to take across tho water that will give me a good idea of the United States.”’ “Well, here's a photograph of Mor- gan." —_— OCIETY is intolerant of individu- ality. A PRICE ON M18 UEAD, comicbooks.com