Life, 1911-02-09 · page 11 of 44
Life — February 9, 1911 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a caricatured figure (appears to be an Irish immigrant based on exaggerated facial features common to period anti-Irish stereotypes) wearing a top hat, standing at a desk labeled as a real estate agent's office. The agent is showing properties to a seated client. The caption reads: "Real Estate Agent: Yes, Mr. Hippo, I have some lots that will just suit you. They're high and dry—er—that is—er—they're low and wet even when the tide is out." This satirizes predatory real estate practices of the era—specifically agents selling worthless or flood-prone properties to naive or immigrant buyers. The "Hippo" reference likely mocks the buyer's appearance or gullibility. The cartoon critiques deceptive business tactics targeting vulnerable populations in early 20th-century America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
deals, and we are somewhat cramped. What would you advise?” A case like this is precisely where we are able to show our yreat power. Ow- ing to the study we have made of the latest and most improved babies’ clothes, not to speak of a number of original de- signs of our own, we are able to send patterns for a complete baby’s outfit which you can make in your own home, for only One Thousand Dollars. This includes several pieces of real lace, and the finest imported blankets. Only the very smartest effects. We have just opened up a training school for young girls, and for this pur- pose have engaged several New York girls of sixteen or thereabouts (see Fig. 3) to act aS mentors to their country cousins, The modesty and refined carriage of the young New York girl (sec Figs. 1 and 2) who walks up and down Fifth Avenue are too well known to need ex- tended comment. What we propose to do is to make every young girl in the country just like her. This may seem to produce too much uniformity, but in reality it will be the highest art. Our patrons should remember that on arrival they are to call on us at once and register their names and addresses. Walk right in and make yourself at LESSONS IN SMART DEPORTMENT NO, 3.—THE CORRECT SANS-GENE ATTI- TUDE FOR A YOUNG MISS WHO IS WaIT- ING FOR A FRIEND IN PEACOCK ALLEY TO JOIN HER IN THE FIVE O'CLOCK HIGHBALL. Tessrathv oot S Real ate Agent; YES, MR. HIPPO, 1 YOU, THEY'RE WIGH AND DRY—ER—THAT WHEN THE TIDE 18 OUT. home. Make-up room on right as you enter. Pattern room in rear. We make no clothes on premises, All we do is to instruct our patrons. We hope, however, to put up several large establishments soon in various parts of Life Park. Notice of this later. No more foreign made goods. We stop at nothing. Every known ma- terial used. Women everywhere, join the League. It will be soon the only way in which you can retain your husband’s affection. Think This Over HY do YOU take yourself so seriously? Mil ‘iii i ill MAVE SOME LOTS THAT WILL JUST suIT THEY'RE LOW AND WET EVEN is—1 The Matter of the Maine Ae the raising of the Maine progresses, rumors gather that the amphibious gentlemen who are on the job have found evidence that she was sunk by an internal explosion. So, probably, she was—by an internal explosion following an external explo- sion. A mine blew a hole in her and exploded her magazines. So the evi- dence indicated and the Board of Inquiry found. Don't believe rumors to th: trary that rise out of the mud. Wait for the autopsy. If you can’t wait, back the Board of Inquiry rather than ru- mors. con- comicbooks.com