Life, 1921-03-17 · page 26 of 40
Life — March 17, 1921 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains multiple cartoons satirizing early 20th-century social and political upheaval. The top panels mock contemporary crises: "Extortion" depicts financial collapse, "The Law and the Profits" shows wealth inequality, and "The Real Cup That Alert Offers" appears to reference labor unrest or economic instability. The main story, "An Uncommon Common Bond," depicts two destitute men in a "great foreign capital" (likely Europe post-WWI). One claims to be a deposed king; the other identifies as the American Ambassador. The satire pivots on this absurdist reversal: the titled nobleman is now jobless and impoverished, while the American diplomat is equally desperate. This likely mocks how post-war upheaval displaced European monarchies while questioning American diplomatic pretensions. The caption about Easter hats satirizes bourgeois concerns amid widespread poverty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Atri WI (ils “ALL THE KING'S HORSES AND ALL THE KINGS MEN COULDN'T PUT HUMPTY DUMPTY UP AGAIN LET THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRINE. An Uncommon Common Bond i N the secluded park of the great foreign capital the two met, and with that com- mon bond of brotherhood in- stinctive with those for whom the world has not sufficiently provided, they greeted each other cordially, The shabbier of the two was possibly more distinctive, more courtly in his manners than the other man, whose inherent honesty shone in his eyes, albeit a certain brusqueness betrayed itself in his voice. Said the first unfortunate: “T judge we are both some- what hopeless. This is my one suit.” He brushed the “ MOTHER, IF YOU DIDN’T WEAR A NEW HAT ON EASTER WOULD THE MINISTER BE ANGRY?” dust off the park seat. I must preserve it carefully. “Tam not so badly off for clothes,” said the other, “bat I really cannot afford a suit able place in which to live My folks—well, perhaps they don’t quite understand. What is your misfortune?” The first man smiled as be stroked his mustachios. “T used to be King of this country,” he replied, “but I am now out of a job. And you?” “Tam the American Am bassador.” LovE is something neither of the two understands until each has explained it t the other, comicbooks.com