Judge — June 8, 1901 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes fraudulent investment schemes and financial monopolies circa 1902. The imagery depicts various con artists and schemes preying on ordinary investors ("Rube"). Key elements include: - **"Solar Trust"** and **"Gold Brick"** schemes labeled at top—notorious frauds of the era - Caricatured figures representing swindlers with exaggerated features (likely ethnic stereotypes common to period satire) - A **monopoly wheel** being manipulated by fraudsters - Bottom text warns that smooth-talking promoters will help you "invest your hard-earned coin" in worthless ventures The satire mocks how wealthy operators used official-sounding names and false promises to defraud average people. The "Charity" sign on the right suggests hypocrisy—claiming benevolence while stealing. The overall message warns readers against get-rich-quick schemes.