Life, 1915-08-19 · page 35 of 48
Life — August 19, 1915 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It markets Perrier sparkling water to American consumers by invoking French prestige and historical figures. The ad references **Napoleon Bonaparte** ("the great Emperor of France") and his famous advice to "keep a good table and don't forget the ladies"—positioning Perrier as a sophisticated French product that appeals especially to women. The comparison to **Lafayette** invokes Franco-American friendship and cultural admiration. The imagery shows a classical bust (likely Napoleon or a generic French dignitary) and an ornate Perrier bottle. The copy emphasizes that Perrier contains no saltiness, making it ideal for mixing with wines and spirits at refined social gatherings. A medical note claims the water aids "gout and uric acid troubles"—common complaints among affluent middle-aged men—adding health credibility to the luxury product pitch. The distributor, Williams & Humbert, was based in New York.
📄 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. HE advice to “keep a good table and don’t forget the ladies” came fittingly from the great Emperor of France. From France we now get the matchless epicurean gift of Perrier Water. And to complete the accord with Napoleon’s advice, the subtle delicacy of Perrier appeals par- ticularly to ladies. Perrier is bottled at the Springs in the South of France amidst 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 len.on 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 ‘lable Waters. Bubbling with its own Carbonic Gas. comicbooks.com