Life — November 6, 1919 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Genius in the Spirit World" This page satirizes spiritualism, a popular late 19th/early 20th-century belief in communicating with the dead through mediums. The cartoon mocks famous spiritualist practitioners and their clients: - **Mrs. I.C. Ghoste** (pun on "ghost") works as a medium on Shakespeare plays - **Mr. Shellrim Glass** completes spiritualist "efforts" - **Mr. Penin Inke**, an "artist-mystic," channels artwork - **Mr. Roger Bullwell** invents a spirit typewriter for automatic writing - **Miss Chrystal Gazer** receives spiritualist messages via crystal ball The satire ridicules both the mediums claiming supernatural powers and wealthy believers seeking contact with spirits. The exaggerated names and absurd scenarios emphasize how Life's editors viewed spiritualism as fraudulent entertainment exploiting gullible clients.