Life, 1915-06-24 · page 33 of 45
Life — June 24, 1915 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not political satire. The page uses patriotic sentiment to market French sparkling water to American consumers. The silhouette at top appears to be **Lafayette**, the French Revolutionary War hero beloved in America. The text connects Lafayette's popularity to enthusiasm for France generally, then pivots this goodwill to promote Perrier water as a French product. The marketing strategy appeals to **class aspirations**: the water is positioned for "exceptionally refined and appreciative palates" and "high-class hotels, restaurants and grocers." A note advertises it as a medical remedy for gout and uric acid—afflictions of wealthy, idle men with rich diets. The bottle illustration emphasizes its French origin and natural carbonation ("Carbonic Gas"), marketed as "The Champagne of Table Waters"—elevating ordinary sparkling water through association with luxury. This reflects early 20th-century American consumer culture: using patriotic nostalgia and class signaling to sell imported luxury goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The enthusiasm for France inspired by Lafayette is re-inspired by Perrier. Neston showed her sovereign wisdom in her choice of a birthplace for Perrier— it bursts, a flood of bubbling purity, from a glorious natural Spring midst the purple vineyards of Southern France. Thus, fortunately the water of matchless sparkle and delicacy has its origin among men possessed of exceptionally refined and appreciative palates. e ‘TABLE WATER Perrier is bottled at the Springs in the South of France admidst the glorious French vineyards. There is no saltiness in Perrier, the great reason why it combines so perfectly with Wines and Spirits. N.B.—A glass of Perrier alone or with a slice of lemon in the early morning is invaluable in gout and uric acid troubles—the bugbear of middle-age. OBTAINABLE AT ALL HIGH-CLASS HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND GROCERS. WILLIAMS & HUMBERT, AGENTS, 1158, BROADWAY, NEW YORK. To quench hot weather thirst drink The Champagne of Table Waters Bubbling with its own Carbonic Gas. ay comicbooks.com