Life, 1921-09-01 · page 12 of 35
Life — September 1, 1921 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes extreme luxury estate design through mock "building specifications" for an absurdly opulent residence. The specifications humorously describe outlandish features: a moat stocked with exotic vessels (Roman galleys, Venetian gondolas, swan boats), grounds containing art statuary and animal statuary (dogs, stags, Brownies), and architectural styles from every historical period simultaneously. The cartoon below depicts King Solomon, the biblical figure legendary for his vast wealth and numerous wives. A reporter asks for his views on matrimony; Solomon quips that with 700 wives, he's unbothered by marriage concerns. This references contemporary wealth inequality and satirizes how the ultra-rich live by different social rules than ordinary people. The humor lies in mocking both extravagant materialism and the casual amorality it enables.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Home Beautiful Extracts From Building Specifications of Residence of J. Porter- house Packer. PPROACH. It is understood that the approach to the residence shall be winding, and shall contain at least two (2) natural waterfalls and one (1) splendid view of sur- rounding country. The park will abound in grouse, partridge, quail, pheasant, wild duck, rabbits, foxes, deer, leopards, tigers, tapirs, kangaroos, ant-eaters and ants. ENTRANCE. The gate-posts of the entrance shall be sur- mounted by heraldic lions bearing the coat of arms of the owner. Said arms to be of stained glass in natural colors and to be illuminated from behind at night by high-pow- ered electric lights. GROUNDS. In the center of grounds shall be an ornate fountain of rock crystal topped by flag of owner, upon which a strong battery of vari-colored lights will con- tinually play. Scattered about the grounds will be no. less than twenty-seven (27) pieces of art statuary, comprising at least four (4) large-sized dogs, three (3) stags and eight (8) Brownies. MOAT. Around the house proper shall be a moat, no less than fifty (50) feet wide. Said moat to be equipped with one (1) Roman galley, one (1) Venetian gondola, one (1) South Sea Islavd sailing canoe, one (1) swan boat and one (1) electric launch, The swan boat to be manned by Tyrolean yodelers and South American ma. rimba players. HOUSE. The exterior of the house to be not in one (1) particular style of architecture, but will represent ‘he best efforts of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Italian Renaissance, Gothic, Rococo, Elizabethan, Singalese, Cinquecento, Empire, Baroque, William and Mary, Henri II, ( hinese, Louis XV, Neo-Grec, Tudor and Dutch-Colonia! forms. Said exterior must include at least seven (7) flying but. tresses, four (4) loggias, nineteen (19) balconivs, five (5) courtyards, one (1) tower with clock and one (1) tower with chimes. Clock to be self-winding and with radium dial. Chimes to be complete set, three (3) vctaves. capable of playing classic, popular or sacred musi DETAILS. All other details shall be left to -discretion of architect, subject at all times to disapproval of owner. (Signed) J. PorrerHouse Packer, Own: +. Henry William Hanemann. Of the Old School “Is this doctor you are telling me about a homeopathist?” “Don’t be alarmed about that. He never prescribes less than a quart.” King Solomon (to reporter): So you want my views on Matrimony? Well, I have seven hundred wives and, between you and me, I’m not crazy about any of them. T Lives The Inn ' Look How With His : Now The Wit Tur Swis Swe comicbooks.com