Life, 1902-12-18 · page 26 of 26
Life — December 18, 1902 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **shoe advertisement**, not political satire. It appears in *Life* magazine from December 18, 1902. The ad uses a historical comparison gimmick: it shows two ancient shoes ("Shoes of Yesterday") — a Colonial-era (1775) heel and an Anglo-Saxon shoe from around 900 A.D. — contrasted against two modern Crawford brand shoes ("Shoes of To-Day"), including a "British Winter Blucher" and a "Fifth Avenue" model for women. The implied message is that Crawford shoes represent modern progress and fashion compared to outdated historical footwear. The ad promotes the shoes at $3.50 and offers a free "Fashion Book" available at multiple store locations across New York, Brooklyn, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, or via mail order. This is straightforward commercial advertising using historical contrast as a marketing strategy—no political commentary or satire is evident.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“@auford Shoe For Men and Women $3.50 Here Are the Shoes of Yesterday, .. and .. Colonial "775 English—Alfred the Great goo A.D. These Are the Shoes of To-Day! Our Fashion Book tells you about both—Free for the asking at our Crawford stores or just drop British Winter Blucher postal. Crawford No. 216 “Fifth Avenue” for Women Men’s Stores Brooklyn, 189 Broadway, Brooklyn. Washington, 903 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington. 208 E. Baltimore St., Baltimore, N.Y, 169 Tremont St., Boston. 180 West 125th St., New York. 160 Summer St., Boston, 433 Fulton St., Brooklyn, 1120 Chestnnt St., Philadelphia, CRAWFORD SHOE MAKERS Mail Order Department, Section 38, 140 Duane Street, New York City. New England Mail Order Department, 160 Summer Street, Boston, Mass. FACTORIES: New York City; Brockton, Mass. at ATT COn MEW YORE. comicbooks.com