Life, 1926-12-02 · page 63 of 81
Life — December 2, 1926 — page 63: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is an advertisement for Krementz & Company jewelry, not political satire. The page promotes evening wear cufflinks and studs marketed as gifts from women to men. The decorative header illustration shows an elegant woman presenting jewelry to a man, establishing the gift-giving narrative. The text employs a patronizing tone typical of early 20th-century advertising: women are positioned as gift-givers seeking male approval, while men are portrayed as knowledgeable judges of taste and quality. The "satire" here is social rather than political—it gently mocks the pretension of gift-giving etiquette and men's supposed expertise. The line "no man ever had too many sets!" humorously addresses consumer anxiety while encouraging multiple purchases. The appeal relies on period concepts of masculinity (formal dress codes, sophisticated taste) and gender roles (women as purchasers seeking to impress men). To modern readers, the condescending framing of women's agency appears dated rather than amusing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Tuxedo Set No. 2061, Krementz Qual. ity rolled white gold plate rims, smoked mother-of-pearl centers. Pair links, 3 studs, 4 vest buttons, in gift case $15.00 > that wise women Full Dress Set No, 1488, Krementz Quality rolled white gokl'plate rims, white mother-of-pearl centers. Pair links, 3 studs, 4 vest buttons, in gift $11.50 give to men who know... It is easy to choose a gift for aman if Krementz Evening Jewelry is your choice. For here is a gift that by its very nature must always have happy associations. It has many a “Merry Christmas” init, for with Krementz Jew- elry comes a lifetime guar- antee. ~ You are sure, too, that it will express the best of taste; above all, it will be the correct jewelry forhim.~ Men know the Krem- entzname.Thatalone will endow your gift with an authority seeahappylightinhis face when he recog- 4 MCLOLE thatmenlike.Youwill | |) nizes the name—"’Krem- entz.”’ Hewill appreciate the easily inserted, sure-hold- ing famous bodkin-clutch back on the studs and vest buttons, which comes with all Krementz Evening Jew- elry.~. Thewell-dressedman should have at least two sets of evening jewelry—one for Tuxedo and one for Full Dress. But no man ever had too many sets! There- fore the troubling question, “I wonder if he has one,” may be forgotten. ~ Each uss | set beautifully cased. | «Prices from $8.50 to$50. Many designs. Krementz Jewelry is sold by the better dealers. Write us for booklet illus- trating the latest designs and Correct Dress Chart. KREMENTZ & COMPANY Established 1860—Time Docs Tell NEWARK, N. J. rement GIFT JEWELRY FOR MEN comicbooks.com