Life, 1909-09-30 · page 25 of 32
Life — September 30, 1909 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines satirical content about the **Hudson-Fulton Celebration** (a 1909 New York City event commemorating Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton) with period advertisements. The left column presents humorous float ideas by "Wilberforce Jenkins." The satire targets: 1. **Hudson's commercialism**: Hudson holding the deed to Manhattan, asking what profit he'll gain—mocking how the historical figure would view modern real estate values. 2. **Rip Van Winkle**: A sleeping Dutch colonist in an opera box instead of the Catskills—joking about how New York's culture has transformed. 3. **Tammany Hall corruption**: Referenced via "Captain Kidd" (a pirate) and Tammany imagery, suggesting the city's political machine parallels historical villainy. 4. **Benedict Arnold**: Shown depressed watching Sing Sing prison, implying America's traitors regret their choices—dark political humor. The rest consists of advertisements for luxury goods (Maillard's chocolates, White Rock water, Cortez cigars), typical of *Life* magazine's revenue model. The small jokes at bottom are unrelated period humor about gender and alcohol.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MEN OF BRAINS IGARS -MADE AT KEY WEST#— 7 FOR A Few Suggested Floats for the Hudson Celebration (By our Special Floater, Wilberforce Jenkins.) Lt id Present, or, What Will He Get jor It-lienry Hudson is represented in this pic- : the lobby of the Hotel St. Reck- rk, holding the historic twenty-four- n his hand and asking the room-clerk of an apartment he can buy with the ress—This should be a morally in- oat, with especial interest to the young. nade particularly impressive in two figures, the first, labeled ‘ 1701," ptain Kidd hanging in chains, and the bel showing a Tammany subway strap. Returns. —This float e repeating his famous nap, e is not lying asleep in the for- ills, but in a grand-tier box at politan Opera House during a perform- ance of Die Gotterdémmerung. dict Arnold Longing for Home.—The famous Anglomaniac is discovered sitting alone on the forward deck of the Mary Powell gazing gloomily at Sing Sing prison as the vessel passes up the river.—Harper’s Weekly. That's PLY with MEL"? 3 /M IN A WIRELESS cace!"? While Rock. “The World’s Best Table Water”’ Now ready, 1%9 edition of the famous “Richard's Foor Almanack,” the hit of 1968, Beautifully bound - and ditustrated humorous book. Sent for sec. Address White Rock, Flatiron Bldg., New York City. A Place of Interest in New York HE most famous Luncheon Restaurant of all, wherein are served the choice dainties for which the name of “ MAILLARD” has been renowned for over 60 years. The decorations, furnishing, appointments and service are unsurpassed. The situation is absolutely central. Fifth Avenue and Thirty-Fitth Street VISITORS TO THE HUDSON-FULTON CELEBRATION can secure, in the adjoining palatial Bonbon store, as charming Souvenirs and reminders of the cccasion, MAILLARD’S Imported Bonbonnieres Parisi- enne—Sevres, Porcelain, Hand-painted Satin Boxes, etc.; with endless varieties of MAILLARD'S delicious chocolates and confections—an exhibit without an equal. MAILLARD'S BREAKFAST COCOA AND VANILLA CHOCOLATE. Their points of superiority are due to the use of the finest selected beans, and to MAILLARD’S exclusive process of manufacture. Afternoon Tea From 3 to 6 Fifth Avenue and Thirty-Fifth Street, “ Have you ever noticed,” an, who liked to - ered in his corne ¢ hotel piazza, “that little men invariably marry large women? “It may be so,’’ murmured a mild-eyed fel low guest, “but I had always supposed that it was the other way about—that the large women married the small men.""—Youth’s Companion. began the bald gen- Other Kind Wanted “Have you got any of this-new kind of whisky that won't make a man drunk? "’ “Well, give me a quart of the other kind.’’"— Boston Traveler. , comicbooks.com