Life, 1912-03-07 · page 45 of 60
Life — March 7, 1912 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. It features vintage beauty and personal care product ads from the early 1900s (Bailey's rubber brushes and Pompeian Massage Cream). The only literary content is a humorous poem about a man who made a joke to a woman named Miss Janet while she was reading *Vanity Fair*. He can't remember what the joke was—he obsesses over whether it involved wordplay about "hair," "parting," or "hare" (the animal). The poem's humor comes from his befuddlement and the reader's realization the joke was likely trivial. The Pompeian ad uses social pressure as its sales pitch: women are constantly being observed and judged on appearance, so they should use the cream to improve their complexion before others notice flaws. This reflects period anxieties about women's public appearance and marriageability. There is no political content on this page.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bailey’s Rubber Massage Roller Makes, Keeps and Restores Beauty in Nature's Own Way For sale by all dealers, or ‘mailed upon receipt of price. C300 bare teaay 1 mate o eanty fo Beep seg hat am dhalow cette hat ar dep, makes my teeth white and does not cause my gums to bleed. 23 cent N Banded wre ck I Dervezhy cleanar the scalp and adel pert leaving both ta seas and healt by uslog with pore soap and water, For Bathing ticsistice, mtbe mesa and manbrsont ihe svialey Meal tor tttening ths beard telere ating. Pre, waited, 1.00, Bailey’s Won't Slip Crutch Tip fat New 19, No. 21, 194 ta. Dealers, or mailed for ples, 30 cents per par. teapape Catalogue of Beerything im Reller Gals, Free, Meation Life. C.J. BAILEY & CO., 22 Boylston St., BOSTON, MASS. While Jean Bottleby—queenly Miss Janet— Drew her handkerchief hastily out, In fits at my slyness—what can it Have been all about? I know ‘twas the happiest, quaintest Combination of pathos and fun; But I've got no idea—the faintest— Through some chapters of “ Vanity Fair.” How it fuses the grave with the festive! Yet e’en there, there is nothing so fine— So playfully, subtly suggestive— As that joke of mine. Did it hinge upon “ parting asunder”? No, I don’t part my hair with my brush. Was the point of it “hair”? Now I wonder! Stop a bit—I shall think of it—hush! There's a hare, a wild animal—stuff! It was something a deal more recon- dite: Of that I am certain enough; And of nothing beyond it. Hairlocks! There are probably many Good things to be said about those. Give me time—that’s the best guess of has several meanings, one knows. Ase Tuousanps oF Eyes are fixed upon the play, it is you who really bear the closest gaze. Exacting pairs of eyes are upon you every minute, every place you go. It is you, who, when you least expect it, may have the truth about your complexion revealed by a single glance. Then, you will feel how much better it would have been if you had not delayed the use of POMPEIAN Massage Cream “Don't envy a good complexion: use Pompetan and have one™ Spots and blemishes and sallow skin do not make very pleasant discoveries when you want to look your best. And it is so easy to have a good com- plexion. Pompeian Massage Cream gives a clean, clear, fresh, wholesome com- plexion. It is used by men and women in a million homes. Ie is a natural means to skin health. It rubs in and rubs out, cleaning the pores marvelously. Nothing is left on the face except a clear, clean, wholesome appearance. Itis you who are judged be- fore you speak. Let your complexion be your best possible recommendation. A Pompeian complexion is one that bears inspection face to face. Of what was the actual pun. I think it was somehow connected Wh something I'd recently read— Or heard—or perhaps recollected On going to bed. TRIAL JAR sent for 6 cents (stamps or coin). eaves mC 25 Prospect St., Cleveland, O. Find out for yourself, now, why Gentlemen —Enclosed find 6 cents (stamps or Pompeian is used and prized in a § Coin) foratnal jar uf Fompcian Massage Cream. million homes where the value of a What had I been reading? The Stand- $ clear, fresh, youthful skin is appre- ard: 5 ciated. Clip coupon now. “Double Bigamy”; “Speech of the At deaters—50c. 75¢ srazasines and Books for Library Slips, Mayor.” try before you buy. One in each package, Ani! later—eh? yes! I meandered comicbooks.com