Life, 1914-04-16 · page 2 of 44
Life — April 16, 1914 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **Pompeian Massage Cream advertisement**, not political satire. The "shame" framing is a marketing device, not social commentary. The ad uses gendered messaging to sell cosmetics: women are told the cream makes them beautiful and attractive to men; men are told it prevents vanity and keeps them "clear-skinned and handsome." The humor relies on mock-outrage—feigning scandal that beauty products might actually work. The left figure appears to be a woman applying the cream; the right figure, a man in Roman-style dress, represents the "Pompeian" classical branding. The reference to Pompeii (Roman city) lends pseudo-scientific or historical credibility to a commercial product. This reflects early 20th-century advertising conventions: using satire and gender stereotypes to promote mass-market beauty products.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
(Stamps accepted, coins preferred) THE POMPEIAN MFG. CO. 25 Prospect St., Geatiemen:—Enctosed Gnd be (stamps of colns) for a Uilal ar of Pos Namen.ee Address a. Fnteredt at the SHAME ON POMPEIAN! For Milady’s Ear Only ?Tis said Pompeian Beauty “turns men’s heads.’ *Tis said Pompeian Beauty makes husbands proud. Shame on Pompeian for making women so beautiful ! tuy s jar? Now who would dare For His Majesty’s Ear Only Tis said Pompeian makes a man a bit chesty about his looks. “Tis said Pompeian_ users (men) attract admiring glances (feminine) ! Shame on Pompeian for making men clear-skinned and handsome! Now who would dare buy a jar? ~ POMPEIAN For Her Massage Cream For Him “Women who use Pompeian don’t worry how they look. They know.’? Thus wrote a user of Pompeian. Pom- peian users are happy, confident and successful. A Pompeian massage produces a slight, gentle friction on the skin. This friction causes an increased circulation in the blood vessels. A clear, fresh, healthy complexion must follow. No ordinary cream can thus frictionize—rub in and rub out so completely—as does Pompeian Massage Cream. Hence the peculiar value in this rolling massage cream. Don’t worry—use Pom- peian, Sold by all dealers, ora trial jar sent by us for 6c. Clip the coupon now. Send this, or write aletter ences! jeveland, O. ian Massage Cream. A clear, clean, athletic skin has opened the door to Suc- cess for many a man, for who doesn’t prefer people with clear, clean, wholesome complexions ? Pompeian cleanses the pores com- pletely clean. That makes skin-health possible. A Pompeian massage is so invigorating that it stirs the sluggish blood to action. Thus a fine athletic glow takes the place of sallowness. In short, for a fine, clear, attractive skin, use Pompeian and remember this —to get the most you must look your best. Try Pompeian. Sold by all dealers, or a trial jar sent by us for 6c. Trial Jar—sent for 6c (coins or stamps). Clip the coupon now comicbooks.com