Life, 1912-11-14 · page 43 of 44
Life — November 14, 1912 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. It contains three ads with one cartoon element: The notable cartoon depicts a pedestrian juggling banana peels with the caption "What we pedestrians need is the non-skid banana peel." This is **safety satire**—a joke about urban hazards. The banana peel was a stock comedic trope in early 20th-century humor (slipping on banana peels was a staple of slapstick), so the cartoon ironically suggests making banana peels non-slip to prevent accidents. The humor lies in treating a comedy cliché as a serious safety problem requiring a product solution. The page otherwise features ads for Hampshire Paper Company stationery and Houbigant perfume (Coeur de Jeannette and other fragrances), with luxurious product descriptions and pricing typical of the era's upscale magazine advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MoH impshiveHond The, Stationery a Gentleman & You may use only a box a year, but when you really need it, no other paper will suffice. We have a sample packet we would like to mail you. Ask us for it. HAMPSHIRE PAPER COMPANY, South Hadley Falls, Mass. ae “WHAT WE PEDESTRIANS NEED IS THE NON-SKID BANANA PEEL.” HIS PERFUME is esthetically gratifying to every sense. In its imaginative appeal, it distinctly possesses a most remarkable indi- viduality. To place yourself within an atmosphere of refined odor, every wave of which is idealized as with the fragrance of the flowers, you must use Coeur de eannetie (HEART OF JEANNETTE) Let us remind you that this is the premier creation of the Perfumer who ranks highest in France and in the world, HOUBIGANT PARIS. 2-02. bottle at all leading dealers $3.15. If you first pre- fer to try an adequate sample, send 20c to us, naming this magazine. For the conveyance of your regard in a personal manner with proper and appropriate expression, we suggest for holiday presents other exclusive creations of Houbigant—exclusive in character—rich in appearance— premier in quality throughout the world. There are his Extracts of favorite flowers, Toilet Waters, Toilet Soaps, Powders for the skin, Sachet Powders, Vanity Boxes, Bath Salts, Shaving Soaps and Creams. For a dainty gift the subtle caress of Coeur de Jeannette may be your first choice and for a glowing odor of mag- nificent bouquet, Houbigant’s famous Ideal, 2 !4 0z. bottle, $4.25. A perfume for a man, Peau d’ Espagne, 2}4 oz. bottle, $2.60. For lovers of the woody violet, a masterpiece of flower realism, Violette Houbigant, 2 }4 oz. bottle, $6.25. (These are prices generally at the many leading dealers who carry Houbigant creations. His wonderful flower of the moonlight, Jasmin; his La Rose France of the old French Salons; his languorous bouquet Giroflée; his exotic Liltes of the Valley (Muguet) and. his exquisite Carnation of the King (Ocillet du Roi) are “prizes” to the delighted recipient. Houbigant color Booklet describing his premier creations gladly sent to anyone. PARK & TILFORD, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York Sole Agents in United States and Canada THE WILLIAMS PRINTING COMPANY, NEW YORK comicbooks.com