Life, 1902-12-25 · page 61 of 77
Life — December 25, 1902 — page 61: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **product advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes Williams' Shaving Stick and related grooming products from J.B. Williams Co. (Glastonbury, Connecticut). The image shows a man in profile demonstrating a close shave with the product. The advertisement emphasizes that Williams' soap creates a "cream-like healing lather" that enables a close shave without skin irritation—a significant selling point when safety razors were still relatively new technology. The ad lists multiple product variants and prices (ranging from 10 to 40 cents), indicating various consumer options. The phrase "A Close Shave!" is a pun: both literal (the shaving result) and colloquial (meaning a narrow escape from danger). This represents typical early-20th-century magazine advertising in *Life*, which mixed satirical editorial content with commercial pages.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WILLIAMS nrc A Close Shave! There is great satisfaction in a close, smooth shave. Nothing but the cream-like healing lather of Witttams’ Suavinc Soap makes a close shave possible—without the irritation that often results from close shaving. soft, rich lather is a veritable healing balm, allaying all tendency to irritation, and leaving the face soothed and refreshed. Williams’ Soaps sold everywhere, but sent by mail if your dealer does not supply you. Williams’ Shaving Stick, 25c. Luxury Shaving Tablet, 25c. Genuine Yankee Shaving Soap (Rd. or sq.), 10c. Williams’ Glycerated Tar (Toilet) Soap, 10c. Williams’ Shaving Soap (Barbers), 6 round cakes, 11b., 40c.; single tablet, 10c. Exquisite also for toilet. THE J. B. WILLIAMS CO., Glastonbury, Conn., U. S. A. comicbooks.com