A complete issue · 28 pages · 1917
Judge — January 20, 1917
# "A Pair of Queens and a Kicker" This January 20, 1917 cartoon by David Robinson satirizes what appears to be a political or social scandal involving three figures—two women ("queens") flanking a man in the center. The title's wordplay suggests deception: in card games, a "kicker" is a hidden card used to cheat. The elaborate winter coats and formal dress indicate wealthy subjects, likely prominent public figures of the era. The composition—with the women seeming to manipulate or control the central figure—suggests he's being duped or compromised by them. Without additional context about early 1917 politics, the specific identities remain unclear, but the satire targets corruption, moral hypocrisy, or financial impropriety among the upper classes during the WWI period.
# Analysis This is primarily **a Columbia Records advertisement**, not political satire. It promotes recordings by Amelita Galli-Curci (a famous coloratura soprano), featuring her performing operatic arias including selections from Gounod's "Miracles" and Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." The page advertises Columbia Records' exclusive arrangement with the Metropolitan Opera's "greatest coloratura soprano." The central image shows a woman in operatic costume (the "Lucia" reference), with smaller scene photographs above. The advertisement emphasizes Columbia Records' prestige by listing other famous opera singers they've recorded (Lazaro, Fremstad, Sembach, Bonci, Gates, Macbeth), positioning the records as "living reflections of the art of the greatest singers of opera." No political cartoon or satire is present on this page.
# "The Winter Festival at Yapp's Crossing" This illustration depicts a bustling small-town winter scene with numerous storefronts and businesses labeled, including Rundell's Bakery, George Hardwick Drugs, Dick Fitch Auctioneer, and Joe Carrier Harness. The drawing shows dozens of townspeople engaged in winter activities and socializing in the street. The cartoon appears to be a humorous, detailed slice-of-life illustration of American small-town commerce and community rather than political satire. It showcases various local businesses and captures the busy, chaotic energy of a winter gathering or market day at what appears to be a rural crossroads community. The artist's signature reads "Owen B. Gould" or similar. Without additional context, the specific satirical point remains unclear.
