Life, 1905-06-01 · page 51 of 52
Life — June 1, 1905 — page 51: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. It promotes Sorosis Shoes, a women's footwear brand. The illustration shows an elegantly dressed woman in early 1900s attire (wide-brimmed hat, flowing dress) seated in a garden setting, establishing a tone of refined femininity and leisure. The "specimen letter" below is a **testimonial advertisement**—a fake customer endorsement purporting to be from "Mrs. S. Thomson" of Budleigh Salterton, Devon, dated May 1905. She praises Sorosis boots to other women of apparent social standing (Miss Miles, Mrs. Bryan, etc.), claiming her friends have already ordered them. **The pitch to modern readers:** This exploits early-1900s consumer culture where wealthy women's word-of-mouth recommendations carried social weight. The ad targets "intelligent English women" by suggesting that respectable, affluent ladies endorse the product—a status-conscious marketing tactic. The page lists Sorosis store locations across America and Europe, emphasizing international availability to established clientele.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
equalled ed to the ny: v York. Sirs,— BuDLEIGH SATTERTON, S. Devox, 3 May, 1905 I do not know if you care to receive private testimonials, but my daughter and I are e.vtreme/y pleased with the boots we had from you in March, and as a proof of our satisfaction IT may just mention that we have recommended them to the following ladie: all of whom have already sent to you for boots or shoes, or shortly intend doing so. Mrs. Keen, Mrs. Bryan, Also Miss Theobald of Ilfracombe. I remain, sirs, yours truly, Mrs. Mainprice, Miss Gifford. (Mrs.) S. Thomson, We hope to be in town in July and shall make a point of calling at your establishment. A specimen letter from the London store. The in- telligent English women appreciate the SoROSIS SHOES. Sorosis Stores and Departments : New York : James McCreery & Co., 23rd St. ci 6 West Fourth St Brooklyn : Cor. Fulton & Ho} weomb-Endicott Co. Baltimore : 19 I We & so Third St. Washington : 1314 Chestaut St. Chicago: 34 Washington S : Penn Ave. & sth St. & 214 6thSt voort & Barney D. G. C : 0, Minneape London Shop reet,W.; 19 Westbourne Grove, W.3 83 Brompton Road, Cleveland : Milwauke St Paul Denver . 626 16th St Hartford : 945 Main St. Providence: The Shepard Co. 700 Nicollet Ave 1 all large cities in Europe and America. comicbooks.com