Judge — September 23, 1882 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This antisemitic cartoon depicts Jewish figures taking over a New York building, with the caption suggesting Jews have "realized" (achieved) dominance over Christians in "New Jerusalem" (a derisive term for New York with its large Jewish population). The imagery shows Jewish men operating the "John Smith & Co." business from upper floors while Christians are displaced below. The sign reading "Established 1520" appears designed to suggest Jewish commercial longevity and control. This reflects early 20th-century antisemitic stereotypes common in *Judge* magazine portraying Jewish immigrants as displacing white Christian Americans economically and culturally. The cartoon exploits xenophobic anxieties about Jewish success in commerce and demographic change in American cities.