Life, 1927-07-14 · page 12 of 40
Life — July 14, 1927 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical article mocks the U.S. Government's plan to profit from selling Lindbergh memorabilia and other "patriotic" souvenirs to the public—a scheme the author finds absurd and greedy. The top cartoon shows well-dressed diners surrounded by fallen leaves, illustrating the text's opening dialogue about visiting Chicago stockyards—an apparent metaphor for slaughter or waste. The main cartoon depicts Uncle Sam eagerly hawking souvenirs, with the caption "She Didn't Miss a Word"—suggesting Americans will buy anything patriotic without question. The satire criticizes using national pride as a commercial marketing tool and warns against individual income taxes to fund such schemes. The "Business Statement" lists declining occupations (tailors, messenger boys, etc.), implying economic hardship makes patriotic consumption impractical.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
August: so You VISITED TIE June: STTHE new issue of Lindbergh air- d to bring mail stamps is expe a large profit to the Government, as many of the stamps will be kept as souvenirs,” says the New York Herald Tribune. The Herald Tribune pre means that the stamps will be bought oly as souvenirs, as obviously the Gov- ernment will make the profit whether the stamps are treasured in the home or pasted, for a whimsy, on the as Island ferryboat. that isn’t) the point The point is that the Govern can make considerably profit by taking up this through the Why same bottom of But ment more souvenir dispensin Post Office in a large way stick to stamps? How about, for instance, sou- venir Lindy fountain pens, in memory of the trusty pen that Lindbergh carried on his epoch- making trip? A little careful should) corner the mammoth-value —dollar-fountain pen market now in the interests of chain drug and cigar purchasing retive stores. Pens of this grade would accord with the highest tradi- tions of the Post Office Depart- ment. And how about souvenir two- pants suits in honor of Levine? And a Fish Friday” “Buy a Souvenir Fresh in honor of the “pip si STOCKYARDS IN CHICAGO? 1 sUP INTERESTING TRIP, Patriotic Bargains President's summer activities? With 1 little encour: nt the Govern ment can undertake to outdo both Sears-Rocbuck and the A. & P. all in th rious name of patric W would ri fuse to purchase his quota of sou ism. for instance She Didn't Miss a Word PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO EVERY- THING THAT Was sain?” “SURE—SHE DID ALL THE TALKING.” POSE IT WAS A VERY OM, YES, 1 SAW HUNDREDS OF PIGS BEING DISGRUNTLED, venir spinach in honor of Charles E. Hughes, or a souvenir bottle of quick- cleaning fluid as a tribute to Wayne B. Wheeler? Even a lot of slow- moving Manila envelopes may be sold out with the suggestion that they honor the return East of Governor- General Wood. Eventually, the Government will have so much money that there will be need of individual income tax. And any idea that will bring that about, you must admit, is no more worth considering seriously. Henry William Hanemann, Business Statement for TPAILORS Messenger Boys—Slow. Flapjack Cooks—Quick turn- overs. Movie Doubles—Falling off. Eye Specialists — Looking better. Agriculture—Growing. Spice Dealers—Seasonal. Electricians—Light. Acrobats—Going ahead leaps and bounds. Garter Makers—Holding up. Aviators—Soaring. Elevator Operators: Sew-sew. by Up and Reformers—Dull. Gold-Diggers — Very tain. W uncer: . EE. comicbooks.com