Re: The Pages of Punch

1925: The Hunting Set

The man being discussed has bought a stately pile known as The Court. This ownership carries with it various privileges including participation in the local hunt. Many aristocratic activities are proud of their specialised terms and expressions. I would think that ‘good to hounds’ is one such expression. Giving a sandwich to a dog would hardly count. She has shown her ignorance.

Re: The Pages of Punch

1922: A master practitioner

HM Bateman is diverging from his stock in trade. Cocktails are frequently mentioned in Punch between 1918 and 1939. They were simply mixtures of different kinds of alcohol and other flavours. I have the impression that nowadays they are not so much in demand and innovations don’t seem to be happening. The man in the cartoon is shown as the ultimate exponent of this art.

Off-hand I can only think of one in demand these days. That is the screwdriver. Are there any others?

Re: The Pages of Punch

1921: The use of offensive language

George Belcher has produced another cartoon which again deals with the world outside the magic circle of the comfortable off middle classes. This was not a temporary departure from the norm. He did it all the time.

I can remember a time when continuous swearing was the special preserve of the ‘lower classes’. In the army I have heard of an officer telling his men that if they didn’t use that word they would be speechless. (No need to guess what that word was.) Nowadays just about everyone does it.

Re: The Pages of Punch

Aha! Thank you Mr M.

I'll borrow that picture to show my wife whenever a naughty word should emanate from my mouth in a stressful situation!

Re: The Pages of Punch

1921: Inadequate support

Mrs Coote is not up to the job. Perhaps her employer cannot afford to be looked after by a gentleman’s gentleman. Jeeves would certainly have kept the moths out.

Re: The Pages of Punch

1922: Vanity

Jean expects to be able to like herself whether others do or do not like her. She won’t be the only one!

Re: The Pages of Punch

1923: Before television!

This cartoon represents an early realisation that one’s image is least important as the reality. Today we are quite accustomed to the image being treated as more authentic than the reality.

Re: The Pages of Punch

1922: Hosepipe Ban

The gardening enthusiast is determined to do some watering now that it is permitted. He is not discouraged by the fact that it is no longer needed.

Re: The Pages of Punch

1922: The most famous royal at that time

I presume that this picture is not an exaggeration? Undoubtedly the then Prince of Wales was considered to be the most glamorous person on earth. There was that song which went ‘I’ve danced with a man who has danced with a girl who has danced with the Prince of Wales’.

In time it became abundantly clear that he was totally unsuited for the role for which he had been destined at birth.

Re: The Pages of Punch

1921: Not what it looks like to us!

Taken at face value this cartoon suggests that the child’s father is the bogeyman. This suggestion surely appears here because this is considered to be totally absurd. That is the ‘point’ of the joke.

What the mother really means that daddy would protect his daughter if the child’s fears were justified.