Life, 1923-04-26 · page 36 of 36
Life — April 26, 1923 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **straightforward advertisement**, not satire or political commentary. Colgate & Co. markets their "Handy Grip" refillable shaving stick by comparing it to changing film in a camera—emphasizing convenience and economy. The visual shows a well-dressed man (representing the target consumer) inserting a refill stick into a metal holder. The advertisement's appeal centers on the **reusable container model**: customers buy the "Handy Grip" once, then purchase cheaper refills as needed, reducing waste and expense. For modern readers: this predates modern disposable razors. The refill system was positioned as innovative and economical—you'd spend 10 cents initially, then buy refills at soap prices rather than replacing entire units. The comparison to camera film underscores the simplicity and modernity of the design. There is **no cartoon, satire, or political reference** on this page—it's purely commercial advertising from an era when Colgate marketed this refill system as a practical innovation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Like Putting a New Film in a Camera JUTTING a “Refill” Shaving Stick into Colgate’s “Handy Grip” is very simple, and it is done in a few seconds. The “Handy Grip” lasts for years. “Refills”, threaded to fit it, cost you the price of the soap alone. There is no waste. In addition to its handiness and economy, Colgate’s makes a copious lather that softens the beard at the base, where the razor’s work is done. With hot water or cold, with soft water or hard, Colgate’s lathers quickly, and makes shay- ing easy. It leaves the face smooth, cool and refreshed. Send us 10c for the ‘‘Handy Grip’’, the metal container, and a trial-size shaving stick. Then buy ‘Refills’ any- where, as you need them, for the price of the soap alone. Three months’ better shaving in each‘‘Refill’’, for less than the price of a day’s cigars, COLGATE & CO., Dept. 23 199 Fulton St., New York comicbooks.com