Puck — April 17, 1878 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This engraving depicts a bustling New York City street scene on Fifth Avenue. The caption references "Mad. Restell's death," likely referring to Madame Ann Lohman (known as "Madame Restell"), a notorious 19th-century abortionist and purveyor of contraceptive devices who died in 1878. The cartoon appears to satirize the continued urban activity and commerce on Fifth Avenue following her death, suggesting that despite the removal of this infamous figure, the street—and presumably the illicit activities associated with it—continued thriving. The crowded scene with carriages, pedestrians, and street life implies that Restell's absence changed little about Fifth Avenue's character or the demand for such services in the city.