Judge, 1887-07-16 · page 1 of 16
Judge — July 16, 1887 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Sharp and the Flat" This cartoon from *Judge* (July 16, 1887) satirizes urban crime and criminal networks. The caption quotes "Judge Barrett" warning that running a con artist will only lead to falling "into the clutches of other thieves over there"—suggesting criminals inevitably betray each other. The scene depicts what appears to be a street encounter involving a well-dressed man (possibly a con man or swindler, marked "SHARP"), police or authority figures, and a ragged character on the right. The prison building visible in the background reinforces the crime theme. The "sharp and flat" title likely plays on musical terminology to contrast cunning criminals ("sharp") with their victims or fellow criminals ("flat"—meaning dull or foolish). It's social commentary on 1880s urban vice and the interconnected underworld.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FREE RAILWAY ACCIDENT POLICY. ARE INSURED FOR$500.00. OU "one Week from date of this issue.See page I2. a Y VOL.12 NO. 300 é JULY 16, 1887, BRICE 10 CENTS. ENTERED AT THE POST OFFICE AT NEW YORK AS SECOND CLASS MATTER, COPYRIGHT 1887. THE SHARP AND THE FLAT. Jovoz Banestt—“ I'l run him in. But you'll only fall into the clutches of other thieves over there. You are made to be fleeced.””