A complete issue · 28 pages · 1917
Judge — December 22, 1917
# "Recruits" - Judge Magazine, December 22, 1917 This satirical cartoon by Orson Lowell depicts military recruitment during World War I. A bearded soldier in full combat gear sits in a chair, gesturing persuasively toward a young boy in military uniform standing beside him. The soldier wears a wide belt, boots, and has a rifle propped nearby—appearing battle-hardened and authoritative. The satire targets aggressive WWI recruitment tactics, particularly the targeting of young people. The "recruits" title suggests the military's eagerness to enlist even the youngest candidates. The child's serious, almost stern expression contrasts with his diminutive size, mocking both the recruitment messaging and perhaps America's intensifying military mobilization following its 1917 entry into the war.
# Analysis of Judge Magazine, December 22, 1917 This page is primarily an **advertisement for Leslie's Illustrated Weekly Newspaper**, presented as a Christmas gift suggestion. The ad promotes a year-long subscription for $5.00, emphasizing Leslie's coverage of World War I, which was still ongoing in December 1917 (the U.S. had entered in April 1917). The pitch highlights Leslie's as offering "the most war-pictures, the best war-pictures, *first*"—positioning the magazine as the leading source for war news and imagery. The accompanying photograph shows soldiers, likely from the Great War. The contents page on the right lists various articles and illustrations typical of Judge's satirical humor, though specific cartoons aren't clearly visible in this image. This is essentially a gift-advertising page rather than satirical content itself.
# "The Rookie's Nightmare" This cartoon satirizes the experience of a novice porter or bellhop during their first shift carrying luggage. The title "After his first experience in carrying a pack" indicates the humor targets new hotel workers overwhelmed by their duties. The illustration shows an impossibly towering stack of bags, trunks, and parcels precariously balanced on a single porter's head and shoulders—a visual exaggeration of the chaotic, physically demanding nature of the job. The small figures at ground level emphasize the absurd height of the load. The satire mocks both the working conditions imposed on service workers and the "hazing" tradition new employees faced. It's commentary on labor exploitation and the physical toll of hospitality industry work in the early 20th century.
