A complete issue · 16 pages · 1889
Judge — August 10, 1889
# "The Columbus of To-Day" This August 1889 *Judge* cartoon satirizes the selection of a site for the 1892 World's Columbian Exposition. The central figure labeled "Judge" (representing the magazine itself or judicial authority) stands triumphantly, having "discovered" the exhibition site—paralleling Columbus's 1492 voyage. The crowded, chaotic scene depicts various competing interests (labeled "Manufacturers," "Art," and other banners) fighting over the location. The satirical point appears to be that choosing the fair's site involved contentious political and commercial rivalries, making the selection process as momentous and contentious as Columbus's original discovery. The exaggerated, carnival-like imagery mocks how cities and interests battled for hosting rights to this prestigious 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page 282 The main cartoon, titled "Her Escaped Pet," depicts a tall, thin man with exaggerated features being walked on a leash by a woman. The caption suggests he is "Miss Robeye's" escaped companion. The humor plays on reversing typical power dynamics—the woman controls the man as one would a pet, implying emasculation or marital dominance. The surrounding text consists primarily of brief satirical quips about contemporary figures and social situations, though most references are unclear without additional historical context. The content appears typical of Judge's style: mockery of wealthy or prominent individuals, social commentary on gender relations, and observations about New York society. The page demonstrates Judge's characteristic approach: visual caricature combined with barbed social commentary.
