Judge, 1889-11-23 · page 16 of 16
Judge — November 23, 1889 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical cartoon comparing contemporary political figures to P.T. Barnum's circus attractions. The title "Barnum's Next 'Greatest Show on Earth'" suggests these are public figures being ridiculed as mere curiosities or oddities suitable for exhibition. The visible labels reference "Emp. Russia" (likely the Russian Emperor), "Khedive" (Egyptian ruler), and "Ossified Man," positioning various international leaders as freakish attractions. The satire mocks these figures' apparent inflexibility, antiquated governance, or peculiar characteristics by treating them as carnival oddities rather than serious statesmen. This reflects late-19th-century American skepticism toward foreign monarchs and autocratic rulers, suggesting they belong in a sideshow rather than in legitimate political power.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
E io) o n x ° fo) 2 2 E 5 cs) el Emp. Russit KEEDIVE Noor WY OSSIFIED MAN- © —~ - Al retog, - Sackett 8 Wuheims Litho Co New York BARNUM’S NEXT “GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH.”