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The Social Ladder

THE SOCIAL LADDER

Reading edition

Drawings by CHARLES DANA GIBSON New York: R. H. RUSSELL London: JOHN LANE 1902

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

his is the seventh book in the regular series of Mr. Gibson’s published drawings, consisting of:

T
T

DRAWINGS BY C. D. GIBSONNo. 1

PICTURES OF PEOPLENo. 2

SKETCHES AND CARTOONSNo. 3

THE EDUCATION OF MR. PIPPNo. 4

AMERICANSNo. 5

A WIDOW AND HER FRIENDSNo. 6

THE SOCIAL LADDERNo. 7

Each book contains eighty-four of Mr. Gibson’s best cartoons, and all are uniform in size, shape and binding. Thanks are due Messrs. Mitchell & Miller for their co-operation in making this volume as representative and complete as possible.

Copyright by Mitchell & Miller COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY ROBERT HOWARD RUSSELL

THIS book is published in Great Britain by especial arrangement with Mr. James Henderson, the proprietor of the English copyright of some of the drawings.

Printed in the United States of America, in July, 1902 Entered at Stationers’ Hall

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE SOCIAL LADDER

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

STUDIES IN EXPRESSION.

An Imitation of the lady of the house.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

MRS. STEELE POOLE’S HOUSEWARMING.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

She: “You don’t know what it is to love.”

“I don’t, eh? Haven’t I been to every play, read every popular novel in the last six months, got into debt hopelessly, had my appendix removed, and all for your sake?”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

Mr. Meeker doesn’t object so much to his wife’s entertainments as he does to the way she uses his room for the gentlemen’s things.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

HIS REVENGE.

Time: Any morning at 4:15.

Mr. Meeker, having been kept up late for the last twenty years and rebuked for his lack of interest, develops a sudden enthusiasm. Mrs. Meeker and the girls now do the waiting.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

STUDIES IN EXPRESSION.

At a dramatic agency.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE SONG OF THE DÉBUTANTE.

“Mother, dear Mother, come home with me now.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE TROUBLES OF THE RICH.

At the last moment, several who were invited send their regrets.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE STORY OF HIS LIFE.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE HEIRESS.

She cannot talk, she cannot sing, She looks a fright; but folks aver Ten millions have been set apart To talk and sing and look for her.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

Mr. Grubbs walks in his sleep and appears for the first and only time at an entertainment in his own house.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

WHY NOT

have plate glass fronts to the opera boxes? The occupants could still be seen, but not heard.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE NEXT MORNING

Mrs. Innittor Dedd’s maid reads: “Among those present was Mrs. Innittor Dedd, whose lovely face and splendid figure were enhanced by a tiara of diamonds and three ropes of pearls. She wore her famous rubies and was even more regal than at the Bullyon’s ball the night before,” ETC., ETC.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

ADVICE TO A HOSTESS.

Keep your entertainment within the mental grasp of your guests.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

MODERN CELEBRITIES.

An interesting discussion between the author of “The Barrenness of Unkissed Kisses” and a famous dramatist.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

WASTED ENERGY.

Professor Bung: A beauty? Well, perhaps she is.

Mr. Rattles: Why, man, haven’t you noticed the divine way she smiles?

“Oh, I’m not altogether unobservant. I have made a calculation, in fact, that the energy expended on her smiles, if scientifically applied, would run an automobile.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

STUDIES IN EXPRESSION.

Showing that a man may be a hero in his own house.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

PARASITES.

Basking in the golden sunshine.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

OF COURSE THERE ARE MERMAIDS.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

PLENTY OF GOOD FISH IN THE SEA.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

HIS CHRISTMAS GIFT.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

A SUGGESTION.

For ill-assorted pairs.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

Mrs. Katcham prides herself on always having the latest celebrity at her house. To-night it is no less a personage than “Gouger.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

STUDIES IN EXPRESSION.

While Uncle Joe has his tie fixed.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

A CROOKED TALE.

There was a crooked man, Who made a crooked deal, And got a crooked fortune By a very crooked steal; He had a crooked wife, With a very crooked name, And now they live apart In very crooked fame.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

He: You promised to be my pupil and learn to love me.

“But it makes such a difference when your heart isn’t in your work.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE AMBITIOUS MOTHER AND THE OBLIGING CLERGYMAN.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

FROZEN.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

WHERE IGNORANCE, ETC.

“Where did you go on your wedding trip?”

“That’s what I’ve been wondering.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

STUDIES IN EXPRESSION.

While a Spanish-American hero describes the horrors of war.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE MERRY-GO-ROUND.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE BROKER RINGS UP HIS GIRL.

“Hello! Hello! Big strike in Consolidated Catamount—can marry—want three days’ option hand and heart.”

She: Will give refusal.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

ANOTHER MOTH.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE ENTHUSIAST WHO INSISTS UPON SHOWING YOU HIS ESTATE.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

STUDY IN EXPRESSION.

While the hostess whispers to Jones, “Remember, now, we are counting on you to make us laugh.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

ONE OF THE DISADVANTAGES OF BEING IN LOVE WITH AN ATHLETIC GIRL.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

Pillsbury does not care for society, but his wife will not go without him.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

WHY SOME CHILDREN DIDN’T GET THEIR PRESENTS.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

ALAS! THE VOICE OF HIS FIANCÉE.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

STUDIES IN EXPRESSION.

The author and the soubrette.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

THE HALF ORPHAN.

“Mamma will be down in a minute.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

“UNLUCKY AT CARDS, LUCKY IN LOVE.”

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson

WHEN A MAN’S IN LOVE.

Illustration from The Social Ladder Drawings by Charles Dana Gibson
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