A complete, restored issue of Judge from 1887-09-03 — all 16 pages of color political cartoons and topical humor, free to page through at comicbooks.com.

On the cover: # "The Old Coat" - Judge, September 3, 1887 This cartoon satirizes disagreement over tariff policy. The figure on the left, labeled "Grocer of Tailors," appears to represent a merchant or tradesman advocating for coat repair. Uncle Sam (right, in striped pants) responds that his old coat is "good enough" and will last "another hundred years." The satire likely concerns American protectionist tariff debates of the 1880s. The "old coat" represents existing tariff policy; one faction wants it modernized ("repaired"), while another—represented by Uncle Sam—insists the current system remains adequate despite its age. The cartoon mocks resistance to tariff reform, suggesting opponents cling stubbornly to outdated economic policies rather than address contemporary commercial needs.

🖼️ Every page has a plain-English note on what you’re looking at — the figures, the references, the point of the satire.

← Back to Judge: The Rival in Color All exhibitions