Life, 1919-08-14 · page 37 of 44
Life — August 14, 1919 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily a **commercial advertisement** for Gem Damaskeene razor blades, occupying most of the right side. The left column contains a book review of Hugh Walpole's *The Secret City* in verse form. The advertisement uses **domestic sentimentality** as its sales pitch. It depicts a father with a young child, with the child praising "Daddy—such a smooth face!" This appeals to masculine vanity and family values—suggesting that using quality razors makes men more presentable and admirable to their loved ones. The copy emphasizes the blade's durability and superior edge, claiming "39 years of 'know how'" supports quality. The product costs $1.00 and includes a frame, handle, stropping device, and seven blades. The approach reflects **early 20th-century advertising strategy**: appealing to male pride through domestic approval rather than purely functional benefits. The "Smoother Face" slogan equates product use with self-improvement and family respect.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
tice. In. of oer yest that of ow and let il. This of rex. nat mo opposing ing cach send you ur deep Rhymed Reviews The Secret City (By Hugh Wolpole. Geo. H. Doran Co.) HE only Love he ever had ian ain, Denied her fond com- munion, \jexei Semyonov the Bad, Bot longed that Death might bring re union; Then, far too proud for suicide, ‘And glad to prod a wretch and grill him, the fendish wiles of hell he plied To goad poor Markoviteh to kill him His victim's home became his lair; The hopes of all within he blighted; He made his dreamer's heart despair Of Russia rising freedom-lighted ; Tal Markovitch, unschooled to ptot, Bot crammed with wrath too strong to smother, Through bad Alexei sent a shot, And through his own racked breast, another, la Semyonov, whose main intent Was dignified annihilation, Behold the worthless Instrument That brought to joyful consummation A nobler, grander Purpose (which I trust will not excite abhorrence). To wit, that Mrs. Markovitch Should marry honest Jerry Lawrence! Our enterprising Novelist Adopts a practice hardly lawful Of quoting Works that don’t exist— Which bothers book-clerks something awful! Bet let's condone such wee mistakes. His art's a thing beyond discussion; He Bares the Russian Soul and makes Me trebly glad I'm not a Russian Arthur Guiterman, THE AMERICAN OF 2000 A. D. “Smoother “Daddy—such a smooth face!” Even “Snuggles” knows Daddy has a Smoother Face. Millions of daddies, uncles and big brothers the world round who use the Gem have Smoother Faces. Gem Damaskeene Blades—keen as Damascus steel—have a durable delicacy of edge that actually gives a silken skin, a happy shave, the shave you have always wanted. Vitality, toughness and long life are bred into these blades. Patented processes add plus to the usual hardening, tempering and grinding methods. Rigid double inspection and 39 years of “know how” guard your shaving comfort and our good name. And the Gem frame holds the blade against your face at the Universal Angle for shaving. No adjust- ment is necessary. Fit a Gem Damaskeene Blade—keen as Damascus teel—in a Gem frame and you will secure the full service you can ask from any razor. You will get a Smoother Face. Do you want a perfect shave every day? Send for new folder, ‘‘Smoother Faces and How to Get One." yA MASKEEN D RAZOW 00 The Standard Gem Set in- cludes frame and handle, == stropping device and seven Damaskeene Blades in com- pact, velvet-lined case. GEM SAFETY RAZOR CORP. New York Canadian Branch: 591 St. Catherine Street, W., Montreal comicbooks.com