Twice Told Tuesday - Photographic Humor II

Twice Told Tuesday features a photography related article reprinted
from old photography books, magazines, and newspapers.

More from one of my favorite artists, Charles Dana Gibson, the creator of the "Gibson Girl." It isn't just Gibson's art that captures my attention, but also his wicked sense of humor. Gibson was known to photographically remove his head and put it on all manner of drawings and other photographs. The footnoteMaven is known for her "off with their heads" illustrations as well.

Gibson, was editor and publisher of Life Magazine, known as a humor magazine at the time of this advertisement. Life became famous for its parodies. The following is just too good.

After reading, do you think this type of humor would survive today?

ADVERTISEMENT?

Life - 1899

LIFE'S BUREAU
. . .OF. . .
BACHELOR BEAUTIES

This Bureau is prepared to furnish, at short notice and on reasonable terms, gentlemanly escorts for unprotected ladies, agreeable and well-mannered dinner guests, athletic noblemen for out-of-door sports, melancholy mourners and pall-bearers for fashionable funerals, etc., etc., etc.

HOSTESSES with political prejudices will be pleased to learn that, to avoid trouble, we have divided our bachelors with regard to their options into the following classes:

Republicans,
Gold Democrats,
Silveriters
Expansionists,
Anti-Imperialists.

In ordering, please notify which class to avoid.

We must request our patrons to avoid any discussion of the Dreyfus question with our imported bachelors. Some of these gentlemen are sensitive or excitable, and have been returned to us in a nervous condition that unfitted them for their other engagements.

742 D. Italian Officer. Romantic and musical. Makes a specialty of cooking spaghetti in a chafing-dish, and is therefore especially desirable for after-theatre parties. Sings all the latest Italian songs, but as he sings them in his native tongue no one will be shocked by their impropriety. Plays the mandolin, and lady patrons may engage him for moonlight serenades at a slight advance on the usual rates. Is under bonds to us not to marry nor become engaged within three years.

366A. Scotch humorist. Gives readings from Ian Maclaren and tells dialect stories. If desired, will be accompanied by interpreter and diagrams. Is not afflicted with the national malady.


479D. Greek poet and direct descendant of Homer. Knows the language of flowers. If desired will appear in native costume. Is an expert performer on the xylophone, and can perform pleasing tricks in parlor magic with rings, coins and purses of the guests. (We assume no responsibility for the safe return of such articles.) Is pronounced anti-Semite, and will not accept engagements from Jewish patrons or at houses where Jewish guests are expected. Ladies are requested not to chew gum in his presence, as he possesses a fiery temper.

Notes:

Gold Democrats - formed the National Democratic Party in 1896 as a vehicle for Bourbon Democrats to oppose the regular Democratic party nominee William Jennings Bryan in the intensely fought presidential election of 1896. Most members were admirers of Grover Cleveland. They considered Bryan a dangerous man and charged that his "free silver" proposals would devastate the economy. Citizendium

Silverites - a political group in the United States in the late-19th century that advocated that silver should continue to be a monetary standard along with gold. Wikipedia

Expansionists - Those that supported the policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations.Answers.com

Anti-imperialists - Those opposed to the policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations. Answers.com


Source:

Life. Advertisement. New York, N.Y.:Life, 1899.