Life, 1913-01-23 · page 26 of 40
Life — January 23, 1913 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **post-WWI economic prosperity** through a dialogue between "Life" (the magazine, personified) and "Prosperity" (an abstract concept arriving like a visiting dignitary). **The main cartoon** mocks the era's economic inequality. Prosperity claims to be "real" and checks into the exclusive St. Regis Hotel, but Life challenges this exclusivity in a democracy. Prosperity argues it *shouldn't* become "too common" or it loses value—a pointed critique of how wealth concentrates among the wealthy while the poor remain excluded. Life's reference to "slums and tenements" and "Superstition Common selling below par" underscores that this prosperity hasn't reached ordinary Americans. **The elephant cartoon** (captioned about a baby resembling its mother) appears to be unrelated visual filler. **The children's comic** about toothbrushing is also separate humor. The satire's core message: the 1920s economic boom benefited the wealthy disproportionately, and claims of broad prosperity ring hollow for those still living in poverty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
210 op el i cis) On Life’s Wire ia} ELLO, Lire?” “Yes. Who is it, please?” “This is Prosperity.” “ How blissful. We heard you were expected. When did you get in?” “Just got in.” “And you thought of us the first thing? Thanks. Many thanks. Where are you stopping?” “At the St. Regis.” “Phew! You are Prosperity, to be sure. But, of course, you won't stay there long. We have arranged a big programme for you. You are to tour the continent, you know.” “Its awfully comfortable up here, Lire.” “Undoubtedly, but it would never do for Prosperity to be too exclusive. This is a democracy, you under- stand.” “Yes, I know, but, on the other hand, it would never do for Prosperity to become too common. If it did, it wouldn’t be worth having.” “We've heard that asserted before, old chap, but we've never been quite sure it was true. So far as our records show, excessively common Prosperity has never been tried.” “We won't discuss that just now, Lire. The point is, 1 am the real Prosperity. If you don’t believe it, ask any magnate you see who happens to be returning from abroad. The people have been fooled before, but not this time.” “We're mighty glad to hear it. Even though you don't pass yourself clear around, at least you are not go- ing to allow yourself to be hogged by the magnates.” “No, sirree!” “That's good.” “No, sir. Take it from me, Lire, here’s your chance we seellee ot “THE BABY IS THE IMAGE OF YOU, MRS. ELEPHANT.” “DO YOU REALLY THINK SO? HOW STRANGE! 1 CAN’T SEE THE FAINTEST RESEMBLAN( to get into the game and whoop'er up. Be a booster. Everybody's doing it.” “All right, old boy. Far be it from us to libel a Prosperity that means business. We're ready for you and the country’s ready for you. The more Prosperity the merrier, but——” “Come, Lire, no buts!” “But we are going to have a hard time convincing the slums and the tenements of your existence. Ever since Missouri became so popular, Superstition Common is selling below par. But we'll do our best. Bigger tasks have failed to quail us.” SRE “ Bully for you, Lire. That's all I can ask. Good-by.” “THIS TOOTHBRUSHING BUSINESS MAKES ME TIRED, “So long, Prosperity. Hope we'll see more of you.” Y’M GOIN’ TO WEAR A MUSTACHE WHEN I GROW UP.” E. 0. J. comicbooks.com