Life, 1910-12-01 · page 85 of 108
Life — December 1, 1910 — page 85: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a **book review poem** (not a political cartoon) plus an advertisement. **The Poem:** Arthur Guiterman satirizes explorer Robert Peary's account of reaching the North Pole. The satire mocks Peary's self-aggrandizement—he names his ship "Roosevelt" (then-President Theodore Roosevelt) for good luck, credits himself with saving Eskimos, and boasts that his medals "fill a trunk." The final lines parody his vanity: he's the only "Polar bear" (pun on "Polar" explorer), claiming sole glory. The reference to "Doctor Cook" alludes to Frederick Cook, a rival explorer who also claimed reaching the Pole around the same time (1908-1909), creating public controversy over who actually got there first. Guiterman's joke: Peary won't discuss Cook's competing claims. **The Advertisement:** The rest of the page is a Franklin Simon & Co. holiday gift catalog for women's hosiery and handkerchiefs—entirely separate from the satirical poem above it.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Rhymed Reviews The North Pole (By Robert E, Peary. Frederick A. Stokes Company) I knew we'd cop that Polar belt! My ship was bound to push straight forward Because I'd named her “Roosevelt,” She bit the icebergs, smashing nor’- ward To camp, near Markham Inlet; there, Among the packs that crash and splinter We dined on musk-ox, deer and bear And whiled away the sunless winter. As welcome spring approached, I chose To man a sledging expedition The pick of all the Eskimos Who lived to aid my one ambition; For I had saved their starving tribe And nursed their sprains and frozen noses ; In sober truth, I might describe Myself as quite an Eski-Moses. We fared across the glacial seas, Their rugged floes and pressure ridges And leads of open water—these We often passed on ice-cake bridges. Near eighty-eight north latitude Brave Captain Bartlett, bluff and hearty (Who earned my fervent gratitude), Led back my last supporting party. With five companions, strong of soul, To share my toil and extra glory, On April sixth I found the Pole And hurried back to write my story; Which makes, I trust, a pleasing book, But they that yearn for dissertations Upon the wiles of Doctor Cook Must wait for other men’s narrations. My medals fill a trunk. My name Upon her scroll shall Clio’s pen mark That babes unborn may read; my fame Has even spread to Darkest Den- mark, The Polar wreath alone I wear, For I'm the Polar Star, my dearie; In brief, the only Polar bear Is yours politely, Cap'n Peary. —Arthur Guiterman, Franklin Simon & Co. Fifth Ave.—37th and 38th Sts., New York Useful Holiday Gifts AT SPECIAL PRICES Women’s and Misses’ Hosiery and Handkerchiefs . Black lisle, colored hand embroidered instep, assorted designs (3 pairs for $1.00). 35c . Imported black silk lisle, spliced heels and four-inch garter hem (3 pairs for $1.00).... SOC . Pure thread silk, black. white and colors, cotton soles, cotton or silk tops. Value, $/.45 95 . Extra guality black isle, colored hand embroidered instep, @G pairs for $1.35)... 10. Pure thread black silk, richly hand em- broidered in black or colors... Value, $2.75 1.95 12. Pure thread black silk, hand embroidered jocks in black or white..... Value, $2.75 1.95 14, Fine Shamrock lawn, hand embroidered, assorted patterns..Value, $1.00, Six for 75¢ 16, Sheer Shamrock Lawn, tape border, 14 inch colored hem, hand embroidered initial to match, assorted colors.......Box of six 1.35 Value, $2.00. 18, Sheer Shamrock Lawn, tape border, em- broidered design and initial. Box of six. 75 Value, $1.00. 20, Pure linen, hand embroidered, assorted natterns, Value, $1.75. Six for 1.45