Life, 1917-12-20 · page 2 of 40
Life — December 20, 1917 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily an **advertisement for Vanity Fair magazine** rather than political satire. The ad uses humor to pitch the publication to different audiences: - **"Amusing women"** will enjoy gossip about theater, opera, and celebrity - **"Clever men"** appreciate its wit and support of young artists/writers - The magazine combines theatrical coverage, art reviews, fashion, and indoor/outdoor sports content The illustration shows a stylishly dressed woman reclining, embodying the magazine's sophisticated aesthetic. The bottom section includes a testimonial from someone justifying a $1 subscription to stay "in the movement" and keep current with cultural trends. The satire is gentle—mocking the aspirational desire to appear cultured and socially aware rather than critiquing any political figure or event.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Amusing women read VANITY FAIR because it keeps them av courant of all the things one talks about—the gossip of the theatre and opera—the new movements in arts and letters—the latest in sports and salons—the smartest in dogs and motors—the gayest in dances and fashions—the latest tip on where to dine, to dance, to drop in for cigarettes, coffee and celebrities. Clever men read VANITY FAIR because it knows the world, and loves it, and laughs at it. Because it is too witty to be foolish and altogether too wise to be w Because it isn’t afraid to buy the best work of our young writers, artists and dramatists. And because it prints such adorable pictures of Mrs. Vernon Castle. The most successful of the new, magazines Take your favorite theatrical magazine; add your favorite humorous periodical; stir in The Sketch and The Tatler of London; pour in one or two reviews of modern art; sprinkle with a few indoor dances and outdoor sports; dash with a French flavoring; mix in a hun- dred or so photographs, portraits and sketches; add a dozen useful departments; throw in a magazine of fashion and one of literature; season with the fripperies and vanities of New York—and you will have VANITY FAIR. If you would be ‘‘in the movement” dance the newest dance a month before it becomes popular; dine in Bohemia before it realizes it is Bohemia and charges admission; know what to see at the theatre, hear at the opera, buy at the bookshop, and on no account miss at the galleries—fill in and send in the coupon for five months of VANITY FAIR, at $1, and even six if you mail the coupon now. Just Say to Yourself “I owe it to my family and friends to go through life with my mind open; to keep my sympathies warm; to remain in constant touch with the newest and liveliest influences in life. I won't be stodgy! 1 won’t be pro- vincial! I refuse to become —whether intellectually or socially—a blight at luncheon. I won't kill a dinner party stone dead ten minutes before the entree. Therefore, I will risk a single dollar and subscribe to Vanity Fair. 25 cents a copy $3.00 a year Condé Nast, Publisher Frank Crowninshield, Editor comicbooks.com UM