Life, 1913-11-06 · page 55 of 56
Life — November 6, 1913 — page 55: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **beauty product advertisement disguised as a contest**, not a political cartoon. Life magazine invited readers to submit witty dialogue or poems matching the photographs of an attractive couple, offering cash prizes ($150 first place down to $10 fifth place). The "joke" being promoted: a couple with clear, healthy skin attributes their complexion to Pompeian Massage Cream. The advertisement claims the cream works by massaging out pore dirt and stimulating circulation, producing a natural "glow." For modern readers, the satire lies in the **absurd advertising premise**—the notion that a cream could dramatically transform skin appearance, and that Life's readers should compete to write clever pitches *for the advertiser*. The contest essentially recruits unpaid copywriters while maintaining the magazine's satirical facade. The "Warning" section acknowledges counterfeit products existed, a common problem in early 20th-century patent medicines and beauty products with minimal regulation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
$250.00 for Clever Ideas Give aid, ye Wits and Rhymers! Contribute, ye Bright Stars of Life’s Constellation, lest this contest sink into the commonplace! (Study these examples carefully) He:—I/ have a confession to make. 1— Sh You're using Pompeian, too! Iknew it! Your skin looks so clear, clean, and wholesome. All of us use it! Isn't it great ? Now if you'd ask this handsome pair, Whence came their rare complexions, They'd answer, “From Pompeian, Sir, Applied, as per directions.” For the cleverest bits of talk (or poems) suited to the picture at the right, the makers of Pompeian Massage Cream will pay the following prizes: Ist Prize $150, 2d $50, 3d $25, 4th $15, Sth $10. Note 1. Contest is free. Note 2. But you may enclose the coupon below and 10c if you wish a trial jar of POMPEIAN Massage Cream and a 1914 Art Panel of this picture in exquisite fire-glow effects. Size, 32 x 74 inches. No advertising on front. RULES) Write your bit of talk or pocm carcfolly at the top of your paper d Write nothing wi a ct points, “How to look my best? ‘That is the question for man or woman when preparing for an evening’s engagement. Here is the answer: On each cheek apply a pinch of Pompeian Massage Cream. Massage vigorously. Into the pores the Pompeian goes; out it comes darkened and dirt-laden, and—Presto! You are transformed. Your skin looks clear and clean, for Pompeian has brought out the pore dirt. The massage with Pompeian has also stimulated your sluggish cir- culation and brought a natural, healthy glow. No ordinary cream can do this. ply-made imitations are offered by certain oy Cheaply-ma Warning | fry rade tation are eared Oe makes more—at your expense. Get the original an massage cream, Get Pompeian. 50,000 dealers sell it—S0c, 75 anc Trial Jar & Art Calendar Stamps accepted, coin cael . { THE POMPEIAN MFi sent for 10 cents. Clip 5 Prospect Sta Cievstand, O. coupon now. sel ind 10c (stainps or coin) for sage Cream and a 1914 THE POMPEIAN MFG. CO. 25 Prospect St., Cleveland, O. comicbooks.com