Life — June 5, 1919 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon, titled "The Last Julep," appears from the June 5, 1919 Life magazine issue and likely depicts a post-Prohibition scene. The seated figure holds a cocktail glass with decorative garnish—the "last julep" before alcohol became illegal. The two standing figures, rendered with caricatured features typical of early 20th-century satire, appear to be either waiters or observers witnessing this final drink. The satire centers on the imminent arrival of Prohibition (which began January 1920), mocking the end of an era of drinking culture. The melancholic tone suggests nostalgia for pre-Prohibition indulgence. The exaggerated facial features and formal dress underscore the cartoon's commentary on social upheaval during this transitional moment in American history.