Life, 1926-02-18 · page 31 of 36
Life — February 18, 1926 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines **advertisements with satirical social commentary** typical of Life magazine's format. The left side features a **Roger & Gallet cosmetics ad** with decorative Art Deco styling—standard luxury product marketing of the era. The central column contains two satirical pieces: 1. **"The Debt Question"** — A letter mocking post-WWI international debt negotiations. The writer, signing as "Fair Play," sarcastically proposes that America forgive Britain's war debt during Lent as a "sacrifice," suggesting Britain should reciprocally forgive Russia's debt. This references real 1920s-30s tensions over Allied war debts following World War I, with the satire highlighting the hypocrisy of nations claiming financial hardship while maintaining imperial pretenses. 2. **"The Working Girl"** — A dialogue satirizing young women office workers who affect sophistication (mentioning limousines, theaters, fancy foods) while actually struggling financially and walking to work. The satire exposes the gap between aspirational class-climbing and economic reality during the Jazz Age. The right side advertises **Pepsodent toothpaste** — a period product claiming scientific teeth-whitening capabilities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Roger & Gallet face powde famous the world over for th exquisite texture and absolute purity, are now offered in Compact form in Le Fade The Precious Perfume AND Gleurs d’ Amour The most luxurious Perfume in the World The metal boxes are dainty as jewels. Powders are shaded in Blanche, Rosee, Naturelle, Rachel, and other tints. ROGER & GALLET Parfumeurs = Paris 709 Sixth Avenue New York Canadian Agency: Emile Méri 103 rue St, Francots-Xavier, Montreal Write for “Fashions in Fragrance” out colorful little book, of Parisian toilette specialties. Complimentary on request. To the E Six dence the courte to propound what may be a sol the Debt Ques Lent, I believe, is at hi is a time during which we 3 to make some sac May I suggest that Ame the forty days’ interest on Britain's det to her? This might become affair. I am writing at the same time to your Mr. Punch, that if America sees her way clear to contempora do this, England should do the same in regard to Russia’s debt to her. In order not to be im ters of thanks from nd threats ing from g I Fat Pray The Working Girl “Working” “Just think, Jimmie, some peo; can ride to the theatre in their own limousines. And lots of them don't think a thing about using a taxi walking. No, ! I'd rather walk. Well—if you only a mile, instead 1 boxes of ca in theatres, who are trying to keep down their weight to have upon them. N temptation thrust any candy. I'm yes, Tam. ¢ make me iat? Oh, thank you.” “L sure enjoyed that show, made my mouth water to dining-room scene. Do you that was real turkey the They seemed to enjoy it. Oh, awfully, but really 1 don't bel could cat a thing. Oh, well, a sand twwould taste good.” “What a flossy menu this is. What ? I didn’t I haven't tasted one for years years. But they're too rich to eat at this ti the night. Don't you think so? You're there, Jimmie, when it comes to show- do you know about #/ know squabs were in sea: ing a girl a g ‘Are you : to Florida, Jimmie? Well, good h sh I could go with you. Oh, mean it that way. But place that would be to spend a haney- moon. Ha! Ha!” ood —" he poor boob, Think of a guy beating it like that without trying to J riddance 29 FREE (‘Sai'ine coupon” To whiten dull teeth | ANEW WAY, based on advanced scientific principles, that lightens cloudy teeth; that restores off-color teeth to charming clearness F A make prove y« “off color You are hiding your teeth with a film coat... that is all Dental scienc tooth and breed in it a chief caus It removes that film. And Firms the Gums Now 1 method A dentifrice called ent in form tant thing then fir A few days’ beyond all ¢ Chip it now FREE THE PEP: | steal a kiss. Well, RW comicbooks.com