Judge, 1928-10-27 · page 31 of 36
Judge — October 27, 1928 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **magazine subscription advertisement**, not a political cartoon. It promotes *The American Mercury*, a literary and cultural magazine, as a gift subscription option. The satire lies in the promotional gimmick: subscribers receive a novelty can of "Old Dr. Mencken's Hell Salts" as a souvenir. This is a playful joke referencing **H.L. Mencken**, the magazine's editor and a famous satirist known for his acerbic social criticism. "Hell Salts" is a pun—both a mock medicinal product (playing on old patent medicine packaging) and a witty reference to Mencken's caustic, fiery writing style and his reputation for scorching commentary on American culture and morality. The ad humorously suggests that giving a subscription fulfills your "moral duty" toward friends or enemies alike, with tongue-in-cheek pricing that rewards bulk gifting. The overall tone is sophisticated, ironic satire aimed at *Judge*'s educated readership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FREE with each order Y% |b. can of Old Dr. Mencken’s Hell Salts! THE AMERICAN MERCURY HE gift question need not bother you any longer THE AMERICAN MERCURY is a gift that recurs monthly for twelve months (or more, if you are very generous) and is as interesting the last time as the first With each subscription order we send the recipient a handsome, deckle-edged, antique paper card announcing the gift; and we send you a souvenir in the form of a can of Old Dr. Mencken's Hell Salts —an agreeable and amusing re- § : ICAN MERCURY Please enter 10) b: ; and a can of He minder that you have fulfilled your moral duty toward one or more of your friends, enemies, or relatives Take advantage of this bargain; it isn’t often you get a lagniappe with a gift One subscription is $5.00; two are $9.00; three are $12.50; four are $15.00. The more you give, the more you save. Your own subscription may be renewed at these rates, each year counting as one subscription. 730 Fifth Avenue, New York City scriptions, sending a gift card tocach with my name, Name Address Name Address Address jroaas comicbooks.com