A complete issue · 28 pages · 1915
Judge — August 21, 1915
# "In Submarine Terms" — Judge, August 21, 1915 This romantic illustration by James Montgomery Flagg satirizes World War I submarine warfare through a coded double entendre. The kissing couple represents nations or combatants, labeled with submarine terminology: "She—U-1" and "He—U-2" (German U-boats were designated with "U-" numbers). The cartoon likely comments on neutral nations' anxious relationships with belligerents during the war, particularly America's tension with Germany over unrestricted submarine warfare. The romantic framing contrasts sharply with the deadly reality of submarine attacks on merchant vessels—including American ships and citizens—that were escalating in 1915. The satire suggests how dangerous or destructive relationships were being romanticized or rationalized during wartime.
# Analysis This page is primarily a **book advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes a six-volume set of Charles Dickens novels for $1.61, distributed by the Brunswick Subscription Co. The ad opens with a topical reference: "It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good"—apparently referencing European conflict (likely WWI-era, given the mention of "death and destruction in Europe"). The copywriter uses this to frame the offer: war-displaced goods have reached America cheaply. The sales pitch emphasizes Dickens's moral value and accessibility, appealing to family literacy and summer reading. The ad targets middle-class consumers through Judge magazine, positioning classic literature as both affordable and morally beneficial—a common Progressive-era marketing strategy linking culture to social improvement.
# "The Tennis Craze" This satirical illustration depicts the overwhelming popularity of tennis during what appears to be the early 20th century. The cartoon shows a city street entirely consumed by tennis activity—courts occupy the street itself, restaurants and shops display tennis-related signage, and crowds of people play or watch tennis everywhere, even on rooftops and in windows. The central sign reading "THIS STREET CLOSED! ON ACCOUNT OF TENNIS" anchors the joke: tennis mania has literally shut down normal urban life. The satire mocks how a sporting fad can dominate society to absurd proportions, disrupting commerce, transportation, and everyday activities. It's a commentary on mass enthusiasms and how leisure trends can overwhelm practical civic concerns.
