Life, 1928-06-07 · page 31 of 54
Life — June 7, 1928 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces typical of early 20th-century American humor: **"Old Stuff"** (top cartoon): Mocks the tedium of antique-furniture enthusiasts who trap acquaintances into lengthy, unwanted tours. The joke: a man desperate to leave suddenly becomes interested when the furniture owner mentions liquor hidden inside a Heppelwhite sideboard—revealing that prohibition-era alcohol storage was the real "collectible." **"Prohibition Cartoon"** (center): A presidential candidate evades the Prohibition question by claiming he takes "the same stand as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln"—a non-answer that appears clever but is meaningless. This satirizes evasive political rhetoric during the Prohibition debate. **"A Bad Slice"** (bottom): A golf-themed pun. A barber asks a golfer to shave his neck; the golfer refuses with "Keep on the fairway"—golfing terminology misapplied to barbering for comedic effect. The page reflects 1920s concerns: Prohibition's unpopularity, evasive politicians, and leisure-class pastimes.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
lars, which I was glad of. Home betimes, finding there all kinds of rag, tag and bobtail come to give me greetings, poor Jim Mitchell with two bottles of old Jamaica rum which he did insist should be straightway made the foundation of a birthday punch, so I did humour him with great misgivings, being mindful how the last time he had broken a lamp as well as his leg, but he did nought save sow a bit maudlin after getting on the subject of Lincoln. And somebody did bring me a book called ‘“What'll We Do Now?” which caused Sam to put in the entire evening trying to do tricks with matches, and me to rack my brains over the three men who come with their wives to a river where there is a boat that will carry but two persons at a time, and how they shall manage to cross so that no woman shall be left in company with one or more of the other men unless her husband is present, a problem which used to bother Philadelphia grade-school chil- dren in the discreet Eighties. Baird Leonard. Old Stuff “Say, you haven't seen my collection of antique furniture yet, have you? I've got some real gems to show you if you'll come with me.” “I'm awfully sorry, old chap. But I haven't any time to spare right now. I'll Parcoasm Cimizen (to presidential candidate): How do you stand on the Prohibition question? Canpwate: I take the same stand on this important question as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. take a look at them some other time— say some day next week.” “Come on—it'll only take a couple of “Look! Him so handsome and no customers. I guess I'll go to Boston instead of Philadelphia just to show him he’s appreciated.” minutes.....Now here's a chair I'm proud to own. Genuine Queen Anne. Its cabriolet legs make it very rare.” “I've got to go—" “Here’s an Eighteenth Century gate- leg table. Magnificent specimen, isn’t it?” “Yes. I'll be late—” “And this secretary desk—you'll seldom find a burled walnut secretary that'll match its exquisite symmetry.” “T've got to be going. When I've got a little more time—"” “Wait'll I show you the prize piece of my collection. Stand with your back to the window—so—and look at that Heppelwhite sideboard with the spade feet. Isn't it a beauty? It’s useful as well as ornamental. I keep a selected stock of liquors inside.” “It’s time I—you do? Say, that side- board is a beauty. I never saw such ar- tistic spade feet before. The entire piece has a stupendous finish. I'd like to sce what it looks like inside. Don’t hurry. I've got all the time in the world.” Harry Epstein. A BAD SLICE Bareer: Shave your neck, sir? Cutent (a golfer): Certainly not. Keep on the fairway. comicbooks.com