Life, 1910-03-03 · page 56 of 80
Life — March 3, 1910 — page 56: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1889 *Life* magazine page contains two separate satirical pieces using racist dialect and caricature—common in period American humor but deeply offensive by modern standards. **"The Thompson Street Poker Club"** depicts a poker game between white and Black players using exaggerated dialect ("Whad yo' got, nigger"). The humor relies on the punchline that one player wins with "two jacks 'n' a razzer" (a bluff or worthless hand)—mocking the supposed foolishness of the Black player who accepts this. **"A Great Inducement"** features Jewish characters (Moses and Ikey) responding to a preacher's announcement that "salvation is free" by deciding to convert—the joke being that they only value religion if it's free/costs nothing, playing on antisemitic stereotypes about Jewish frugality. Both pieces use ethnic caricature and dialect to demean their subjects. This reflects *Life*'s satirical approach, which often targeted marginalized groups for mockery rather than punching at power.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Woaif: 1 pox’? GrupGE THE DOLL NOTHIN’, BUT 1’D LIKE TO SOMEBODY'S PET, IF IT WUZ ON’Y FOR TEN MINITS! (January 24, 1889. No. 3 The Thompson Street Poker Club Two Jacks an’ a Razzer The Remarkable and Successful Hand Held by Mr. Williams HE Thompson Street Poker Club was in session, and a big jackpot had been opened. There were evidently big hands out, for the bets and excitement ran_ high, “ Looker hyar, Gus, whuffer yo" rise dat pot!” ¢: Mr. Tooter Williams. *Nebber yo’ mine! Yo" call, ef you isn’t 'fraid; yes, yo" call—dat's all!" retorted Gus sullen| “T won't call! I rise you back,”’ id Mr. Williams, whose vertebra: were ascending. “I rise yo’ ag’in,” retorted Gus. And so they went at each other until chips, money and collateral were gone. Mr. Williams concluded to call “Whad yo’ got, nigger, dat yo’ do all dat risin’ on? Whad yo’ got, nohow?"” Gus laid down his hand—ace, king, nd ten of clubs. ood?" he inquired, beginning to size up the pot. “No, dat’s not good,’ said Mr. Williams, reaching down in his boot leg. “Whad yo’ got, den at him fixedly. “Ise jes’ got two jacks ’n’ a razzer.” “Dat’s good,’? srid Gus. The game then proceeded. (From a ccries published in Live in 1884.) A Great Inducement OSES and Ikey had stopped in at a Methodist revival from motives of curiosity. “ Salvation is free,’’ shouted the preacher. “ Thank the Lord, salvation is free.”’ Moses looked at Ikey in astonishment. “My poy.’” he said earnestly, “if dot is gorrect, ve oughd do pecome Ghristians.”” (April 18, 1893. No. 642.) queried Gus. Mr. Williams looked comicbooks.com