Life, 1905-04-06 · page 17 of 62
Life — April 6, 1905 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising** with two brief humorous anecdotes. The left side features ads for **White Rock mineral water** and European travel (S.S. Caledonia cruise), plus a throat remedy. The main text content includes two satirical pieces: 1. **"Enterprise Up to Date"** mocks modern publishers' shameless self-promotion. It describes how publishers craftily market books by planting glowing paragraphs about authors in newspapers—praising their talents while the authors pursue other trades (building houses, ships). The reference to Jack Sheppard's execution and publisher Applebee receiving a memoir in Sheppard's pocket illustrates how this promotional trickery dates back centuries. The satire suggests publishers exploit authors' vanity and readers' gossip appetite for commercial gain. 2. **"Knew the Size"** is a mild joke: a Baltimore suitor, asked a belt clerk for his fiancée's size, doesn't know it and must measure his own arm with a yard-stick to estimate, implying humorous ignorance of his betrothed's dimensions. The page is typical early-20th-century *Life* content: advertising mixed with light social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mineral Water Incomparable. In the Cafe; At the Banquet; For the Home. Nature's most delightful and beneficial bequest to all mankind. The simplest remedy for Hoarseness and Sore Throat. Sold only In boxes. Specially Chartered. July 1st. $245 up. Exceptional advantages. Many other tours, Write to us. OPEM ca 127. New S. S. CALEDONIA, 9,400 Tons. FRANK C. CLARK, 113 Broadway, New York. LIFE- Enterprise Up to Date. Te eam oe coerocrerrrrerrere rt Ct) admiration tempered by envy we ¢ noted from time to time the skill ded and abetted by wares to the world. The be been beating th cigars and cir- wre ha of the modern publisher—a |the author—in bringing riendly attention of the a cturer has clearly Jadvertisers of soaps, cere jcuses at their own game his is the advan- tage of being a favorite of the muses. A model paragraph of its kind is now appearing in various columns about books and authors: his just previous to his mar- riage about a year ago, drew up the plans for Jthe house in which he was to live with his |bride and which he called When the house was finished, he built a large part of the furniture which makes it so artis tic. Now author is engaged in the ship- building craft and has put together a stanch jlittle sloop in which he intends to explore the islands of the ic that lie near his property Meantime, while the author enjoys himself | at his various trades, his book the nsinuating appeal to that passion for ossip which so many mistake for fine a masterpiece. But the pub- ‘ace must not be un- on of his own clever- r id originality. In the dark ages of his | business, two centuries ago, the tr: knew aj few tricks equal to the best that have been! nvented since. When Jack Sheppard, of blessed memory, was hanged at Tyburn in the |presence of two thousand people, he sum- noned Applebee, the publisher, to his fand handed him a peeket. Thi ja prearranged plan to impress upon the spec jtators the g of Sheppard which Had the at the columns of duly puffed up w cart nuineness of the “autobiography” Applebee was about to is- Api tw have sue. ingenious ebee chance newspaper, ieth-century he might made our We doff our hat to Ap ¢ him for patron saint bab k Evening Post curs, Knew the Size. BALTIMORE man tells a friend of his who rece: \ gaged to a charming young gi he happy lover chanced to be in a fashion- able shop when his eye caught a glimpse of a jewelled belt that seemed to him an acceptable gift for his fiancée. He asked a clerk to place assortment of the belts on the counter queried the polite sit; what size?” ood story of a became en- an dies’ belts?” sdlednsan rtainly, he prospective bridegroom blushed. “Real- he stammered, “I don't know.” And he ed about him helplessly for a moment or so. ITrinally, a happy thought appeared to. strike Jhim. “Can't you let me have a yard-stick for a moment?” he asked. The yard-stick being forthcoming, he placed it along the inside of his arm from shoulder to wrist. ‘Then looking KAA Kee ek ee f 1 v y Tis Picture, look like dull and | & makes an adm EASTER OFFERING,” U ter greeting to one's friends, It is reproduced exclusively in the genuine Coptey Lrints May we not send it to you on approval? It comes in four size 6x 13, $2.50; 8x21, 5: If not this parncular one, other subjects in st might interest you, either as gilts or for the ade walls, The COPLEY PRL artists as the best art reproductions made in Amer- ica. Fifty cents to $20.00, Atart stores, or sent on approval. Our ILLUSTRATED CATALOGU 200 illustrations including works by Abbey, Alex- ander, Burne-Jones . Gaudens, and so on) is sent only upon receipt of 25 cts. (stamps), which charge may be deducted from a_subsequent pur- chase of the Prints themselves. Copyright 1903 by Curtis & Cameron 60. tiie Tibraey: Boston Opp. Public Library up at the clerk, he exclaimed, triumphantly, “Twenty inches !"—Harper’s Weekly. 25 Post Cards cent Set Souvenir Post Cards of Peautiful Art Subjects, Celehrities and Statesmen, Reproductions from. Paintings, Ainerican and Foretgn Vicws in the Famous “ROTOGRAPH” SERIES and our BractiyeL Catatoave. For introduction, ONLY Onn ect to EACH perwon, 10 Cents Post Camp RUREAL fox £2, Sta. T, New York comicbooks.com