A complete issue · 28 pages · 1916
Judge — May 13, 1916
# "A Dandy Cover" This Judge magazine cover from May 13, 1916 depicts a fashionably dressed woman admiring herself in a mirror. The title "A Dandy Cover" is a pun: "dandy" meaning excellent or stylish, but also referencing the woman's fashionable appearance—her elaborate hat with feathers, decorative coat, and accessories typical of 1910s high fashion. The small inset illustration in the upper right appears to show a contrasting figure, likely emphasizing the satirical point about vanity or class distinctions. The cartoon mocks the preoccupation with fashionable dress and appearance among society women of the era, a common target of Judge's social satire during the Progressive period.
# Judge Magazine, May 13, 1916 This page is primarily an **advertisement for Collier's magazine**, promoting an article about Bethlehem Steel's rise by Edward Mott Woolley, titled "Schwab's Bonus Men." The headline emphasizes Bethlehem Steel as "The Sky-rocket That Hasn't Come Down." **Historical context**: In 1916, Bethlehem Steel was a major American industrial company, likely headed by Charles M. Schwab. The article appears to examine how the company achieved rapid growth and the role of executive bonuses in its success—relevant during America's pre-WWI industrial expansion and subsequent wartime manufacturing boom. The advertisement itself contains no apparent satire or political commentary; it's a straightforward promotional piece targeting Judge's educated readership interested in business narratives.
# "Spring Fever Strikes Yapp's Crossing" This cartoon depicts a rural settlement overwhelmed by spring fever—a term historically used to describe restlessness, lethargy, or unusual behavior thought to occur seasonally. The crowded scene shows numerous townspeople engaged in idle or frivolous activities: boating, lounging, socializing, and general leisure rather than productive work. The satire mocks how spring weather causes entire communities to abandon responsibility and productivity. The buildings labeled "H. Davis" and other shops suggest commercial neglect. The artist (signed "John S. Gueville") presents spring fever as a contagious affliction spreading through the settlement, leaving work undone and social order disrupted by mass indolence. The cartoon reflects early 20th-century anxieties about seasonal idleness affecting economic productivity and work ethic.
