Life, 1927-07-07 · page 18 of 42
Life — July 7, 1927 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Illustration:** Shows a parlor scene titled "The Gay Nineties." The caption mocks poor people using a stereoscope (an early viewing device) to see images of Niagara Falls and other sights, suggesting they couldn't afford real travel. The satire critiques class divisions—wealthy people could actually visit such places, while working-class folks experienced them only through cheap optical novelties. **"Unfair Competition":** This sketch satirizes American tourists in Paris, France. An American brags about purchasing stereoscopic photographs and other cheap souvenirs, claiming superiority over French goods. The French character responds mockingly, suggesting Americans lack taste and culture, reducing travel to collecting cheap trinkets rather than genuine cultural appreciation. **"Forgiven":** A brief editorial comment about a social/moral figure's rehabilitation (specific reference unclear without additional context).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Gay Nineties ALTHOUGH POOH POOHING THE ARCHAIC STEREOSCOPE WITT ITS FLY-SPECKED VIEWS OF POMPEIE AND NIAGARY PALLS, THE PROGRESSIVE NINETIES NEVERTHELESS ALWAYS KEPT ONE HANDY TO BRIDGE TILE GAP WIEN GUESTS OUTSTAYED THEIR WELCOME AND CON- VERSATION REGAN TO PICK AT THE COVERLID, Unfair Competition “Yeh, they ain't so bad, buddy. But whadda I Scenes Street corner in Paris, France 1 corpulent Imerican citizen, cold cigar and all, is striding along. He is wondering, vaguely, how long a degenerate race like the French may hope to survive. A furtive fellow pocket. “DARDON, w'siew. One moment. 1 ‘ave ‘ere some- thing ver’ nice, ver’ lovely.” and leer.) “Whatcha got?” “Al-ha, ze picture. Ze photograph of ze so lovely (Suggestive wink ladies. C let me show you. All ze poses. You will be enchant’, m'sieu’.” (They move over to a wall for close inspection.) “There, m’sieu’, be-autiful, n’est-ce pas? Photos d'art, editions nourelles, And so cheap——" want with them? If you wanta sce real stuff, looka this!” (Reaches into coat pocket; produces tabloid paper.) “How's that, eh? The Daily Porno-Graphic! I have it sent over, just to keep in touch with things at home. When you birds get something like that I'l buy it. “Ah. but m’sien’, that cannot be. The gendarmes— we should all be arrest’. Stanley Jones. Forgiven “PROOZE. was a social and moral outlaw before the Eighteenth Amendment,” said Wayne B. Wheeler in his debate with Clarence Darrow. But, now that it has become reinstated socially and morally, we suggest letting bygones be t comicbooks.com