Life, 1919-09-11 · page 48 of 48
Life — September 11, 1919 — page 48: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **shaving cream advertisement**, not political satire. It appears from *Life* magazine (likely early 20th century, based on style). The ad features a man demonstrating Williams' shaving products—specifically their "Holder-Top Shaving Stick." The central claim, repeated in the headline, is that Williams lather "won't dry on the face," meaning it stays moist and workable long enough for a complete, leisurely shave without needing to re-lather. The ad's logic pitch: other lathers dry quickly, forcing you to stop mid-shave and add more. Williams lets you shave at a comfortable pace in one application—faster and more comfortable overall. The man's exaggerated expression and the prominent display of various Williams products (cream, powder, liquid) are typical period advertising style: enthusiasm and product visibility rather than subtle messaging. **There is no political or social satire here**—just period marketing emphasizing product superiority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ee "ERE “The kind that wont dry on the face creo Ia Williams Cuxuq. Shaving R a good many years—depending on how old Creag you are—you'’ve been hearing that Williams’ lather ‘‘won’t dry on the face.’’ Have you ever stopped to think just what that signifies? Of course {Sth dros st ttalac ssay cream. Sick, it dcesn’t mean that after getting all lathered up —termyeoe OSS tne you can stop to play with the baby for half an hour, — “BegePa’Ghettetoare Cons or run toa fire. But it does mean that you can put __ Att the stare or the bath, you wil enor on the rich, softening, creamy lather, strop your yo: razor well, go all the way round ata leisurely pace, and finish off a velvety shave without having to lather the face a second time. That is the reason why a Williams’ shave ‘is both quicker and more comfortable. Get Williams’ convenient Holder- Top Shaving Stick and try it tomorrow, Williams <2 THE Iams CON Shaving Stick : comicbooks.coiyy