A complete issue · 28 pages · 1916
Judge — June 10, 1916
# "A Tennis Racket" (Judge, June 10, 1916) This illustration by Mary Lane McMillan depicts a couple on a park bench with a small dog between them. The title "A Tennis Racket" is a pun—rather than discussing the sport, it refers to a romantic or domestic "racket" (commotion/situation). The cartoon appears to satirize early 20th-century courtship dynamics. The man and woman's body language suggests tension or awkwardness, with the woman looking away while the man gazes toward her. The small dog serves as an awkward third party, possibly commenting on the complications of romance or the intrusion of domestic life into courtship. The humor targets contemporary social attitudes about relationships and public displays of affection during the Progressive Era.
# Analysis This appears to be **advertising content rather than satire or cartoon commentary**. The page promotes the University of Pennsylvania's newly established advertising course, celebrating advertising as a legitimate academic discipline worthy of scholarly recognition—comparable to receiving a "Sheepskin" (diploma). The text uses grandiose historical framing, comparing modern advertising to ancient promotional practices in Pompeii, to elevate the profession's status. The central image shows a University of Pennsylvania building. The message targets business professionals: advertising has evolved from craft to respected science deserving academic credentials. The June 25-30 conference will gather "10,000 and more students" for networking and intellectual exchange. This reflects early 20th-century efforts to professionalize advertising and establish it as legitimate business education.
# Yapp's Crossing June Brides This is a crowded street scene depicting a bustling commercial district, likely titled "Yapp's Crossing" (an identifiable neighborhood or intersection). The cartoon satirizes the social phenomenon of June weddings—traditionally the most popular wedding month in America. The scene shows numerous storefronts including "Hubbell and Lumber," "Willie Weeds Elite Photo Shop," and "Dunk Furzelle Chairs Factory." Multiple businesses advertise services relevant to weddings: photographers, furniture makers, and other merchants. The point of the satire appears to be how commercial interests profit from the June bride tradition—local businesses capitalize on the seasonal rush of weddings by promoting their goods and services to engaged couples. The crowded, chaotic street scene emphasizes the commercialization and frenzy surrounding this social custom.
