Life — March 22, 1923 — page 3: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Disrespectfully Declining HERE is a sameness, a deadly monotony, about the rejection slips used by our periodicals that quickly gets on the nerves of their more or less indigent collectors. They all thank the contributor for sub- mitting his manuscript. They are ‘de- lighted to have had the privilege of considering it. They regret: that it does not meet the exact requirements of their publication at the moment of receipt. They aver that its rejec- tion does not necessarily imply a lack of merit. They urge the con- tributor to try again—and not for- get that a stamped and addressed en- yelope must accompany all offerings. More variety is needed. A rejec- tion slip should contain some of the specific reasons therefor. For instances : “We return your manuscript for the good and sufficient reason that in our editorial opinion it is about 85% junk. If you cannot do any bet- ter than this, we would advise you to drown any literary ambition you may have, and seek a diplomatic ap- pointment. This is a busy office. Please do not bother us again.” “We regard your manuscript very highly, but we are compelled to de- cline it, because we fear that it is beyond the intelligence of our read- ers. We must have some regard for our circulation. Thank you. Try again.” ‘We are unable to determine whether the humor in your offering lies in your treatment of the topic, or in your very original system of spelling. Inasmuch as we do not con- duct a puzzle page, your manuscript is returned.” “You have religiously and rankly imitated the style of Blankety Blank, the dramatic critic. Because we con- sider that word-butcher a literary flivver, we cannot consider your cheap imitation. Try to be original.” “This is a magazine of humor. We therefore assume that your contri- bution was misdirected. Send it to an undertakers’ trade journal.” Not yet, but just the same I have had quite a few slaps in the face. —Sans-Géne (Paris). He Revealed the Sins of a Shameless World! Alone He Defied the World, Tearing Off the Sham. Draperies of Virtue and Revealing the Amazing Sins of Men and Women Brann, The Iconoclast OCIETY stood aghast! Never before had any pen written such startling, breath-taking things! Never before had the shame of society, the hypocrisy of the world, the sin-blackened souls of men and women been so mercilessly exposed. With a boldness that brought a nation- wide gasp of amazement, he battered down the gilded doors of society and revealed such a scene of wickedness, decadence and brute passion within that convention was rocked to its foundation. No one was too high, too rich, too power- ful to escape the fury of his attack. He snatched away the false cloak of respecta- bility and openly branded the guilty with their shame. Reputations were blasted; men and women were dragged down from their artificial pedestals; their souls were stripped of their tinselled trappings and their shame laid bare to all the world. SAVE $950 berg {special The regular price of the complete set of Brann, the Iconoclast, is $27.00. But now, by a tremendous publishing feat that has surprised publishers as well as readers, we are able while this great edition lasts, to offer you these wonderful volumes at a full saving of one third. in price has reduced the cost of this wonderful set of books from $27.00 to $17. In other words, the cut And, what is more, it can still be had on the same amazingly easy terms, It is not ely that this great opportunity will be repeated—it is not likely that such a Mammoth edition will ever again be printed—so if you ever thought of getting a set of Brann, the Iconoclast, NOW IS THE TIME! free. If amazingly penny on this 5 day examination offer, fore the limited edition at this low Dept. 443 A FEW OF BRANN’S MASTERPIECES A Pilgrimage, to Perdition Mock-Modesty N. Y,C. jam and Eve A Sister's Shame The Social Swim - “The, Perfumes of Passion” The Law of Love Glory of the New Garter Footlight | Favorites Thou Shalt Note t The Old Maid’s Auction Potiphar’s Wite set of sent to you at once. E uu keep the set, as you doubtless will, pay for it on the asy terms as shown on the coupon. 130 East 25th St. And you can examine the books free without one penny in advance. ,-” Send No Money )*\#:' "32% without any money. The n, the Iconoclast, will be nine the books for 5 days, ,” You do not risk a mail the coupon now, e is exhausted. The Brann Publishers, tnc. Brann Publishers, Dept. 443, 130 East 25th St New York City Send me the 12-volume hand somely bound set of Brann, the Iconoclast, (complete), pre: paid, for 5 days’ examination. 1 books in 5 days Patter 1 receive or will send P’ $1.50 after 5 days and $2.00 a month for § months. 10% discount if cash in full is sent in with coupon, comicbooks.com