A complete, restored issue of Judge from 1893-10-07 — all 16 pages of color political cartoons and topical humor, free to page through at comicbooks.com.

On the cover: # Judge Magazine, October 7, 1893: Cleveland's Ambassador Nomination This political cartoon satirizes President Grover Cleveland's choice of Thomas B. Van Alen as U.S. Ambassador to Italy. The caption mockingly notes Van Alen is "quite English, you know"—suggesting he's overly Anglicized and unsuitable for the role. The cartoon depicts Van Alen (center, in striped trousers) being escorted by two formally-dressed figures. The left figure holds a scroll labeled "50,000 FRANCS FOR THE FAIR" (likely referencing a financial contribution), implying the ambassador position was purchased rather than earned through merit. The satire attacks both Van Alen's credentials and the patronage system that allowed wealthy donors to secure diplomatic posts, a common practice criticized during the Gilded Age.

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

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