The Wasp — 1896 — page 236: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a title page for San Francisco's satirical weekly. The masthead features an illustrated wasp attacking a large bear—likely representing the publication's combative editorial stance. Text identifies The Wasp as "the oldest color-print cartoon paper in America" (established 1876) with "largest circulation" on the Pacific Coast. The page content includes political commentary on contemporary issues: Democratic Party factionalism, Hugh McAvoy's portrait controversy, suffragist activity in various states, and ecclesiastical politics in San Francisco involving Rev. Kalloch and competing religious factions. The writing adopts a sarcastic tone typical of 1890s satirical journalism, mocking both political parties and social movements of the era.