Puck — September 12, 1877 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Kelly's Dainty Dish" — Puck, September 12, 1877 This cartoon satirizes what appears to be a political or social figure named Kelly. The illustration shows a Native American chief and a well-dressed white man sharing a meal from a large pot, with the caption "How the Tammany Appetite is Appeased." The reference to "Tammany" indicates this attacks Tammany Hall, New York's powerful Democratic political machine known for corruption and patronage. The "dainty dish" likely refers to illicit dealings or graft. The Native American imagery—a common 19th-century satirical device for depicting "savage" or corrupt behavior—suggests Kelly engages in crude, predatory politics. The shared meal implies collusion or backroom deals between political operators. Without additional context, the specific Kelly referenced remains unclear.