A complete issue · 16 pages · 1887
Judge — February 12, 1887
# "Historical Valentine" - Judge Magazine, February 12, 1887 This satirical cartoon depicts a military or political figure (wearing a bicorne hat and formal dress) presenting an offering to a female personification of a city. The woman sits atop a large money bag marked with dollar signs, suggesting wealth or municipal funds. The title "Historical Valentine" and the cityscape background (featuring a prominent bridge and church spires, likely New York) indicate this comments on municipal corruption or fiscal mismanagement. The military figure appears to be offering tribute or attempting to gain favor through financial means—a commentary on how city funds were being extracted or misappropriated, possibly through military contracts or corrupt dealings between political/military leadership and city treasuries during the Gilded Age.