Life, 1909-05-27 · page 8 of 32
Life — May 27, 1909 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the marriage market through two cartoons. The top cartoon, titled "Matrimony: Miss Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde," depicts a woman transforming from an angelic, refined bride (left) into a demanding, sharp-tongued wife (right)—a common Victorian joke about how women changed after marriage. Below, "The Matrimonial Market" article uses agricultural/commodity language to mock marriage as a commercial transaction. It treats women like livestock being bought and sold, discussing "Newport varieties," "Connecticut school marms," and regional "breeds" with humorous seriousness. The accompanying photograph "The Man Higher Up" appears to show a man, possibly illustrating the power dynamic being satirized. The satire critiques how marriage—supposedly romantic—functioned as literal marketplace commerce.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ga DARLING WONT You mane mae NAPPY oy oe ee f “NS AS WALKER: MATRIMONY Miss yexyit. axo Mrs. wyoe The Matrimonial Market HERE has been a brisk selling movement of some notable Newport varieties, many sub- stantial sales being reported. Tall Western blondes are quoted at a premium, and there has even been a steady demand for the short, fat varieties. Boston rulings remain un- changed, the demand for Back Bay specimens being confined almost exclusively to hardy Western miners. Connecticut school marms continue firm. Delaware peaches held their own and were dealt in freely on reports of a coming shortage in Virginia F. F. V.'s. These specimens, by the way, owing to their great scarcity, continue to rise steadily in value. Kentucky Blue Grass belles were eagerly snatched up when offered. A few odd lots were taken for London, but in general the home market quickly absorbed them. The shipments from California continue to grow in im- portance and interest, outclassing easily the principal hot house varieties of the East. The crop continues to yield abundant returns. These varieties are very popular, being easily loved and showing no effects from transplanting The Chicago market sold off considerably at the opening, the feature being the great strength in alimony widows. There were some wide fluctuations in standard side issues. On the curb wild offerings of odd lots of Bridge fiends, In- diana poetesses, and Christian Endeavor brunettes caused wide demoralization, but later, the market became steadier under a short covering of Alabama Girlings, Fluffy Rufiles, both preferred and common (mostly all common) were dead In view of the industrial conditions prevailing, great cau- tion was observed by both the public and the professionals. A swell appearance, handsome form and warm, gentle manner which is usually grabbed upon sight, was subjected to critical inspection, and extravagant clothes wearing habits and other characteristics carefully gone into before sales. The bond marke dull, short terms being the feature “THe MAN MiGHER UP’ comicbooks.com