The Wasp — 1896 — page 710: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is **not a political cartoon**. Instead, it contains architectural photographs and a biographical article titled "John Shirley's Improvements." The images show two San Francisco buildings: the Blythe Block (top, a grand Victorian structure at Geary and Grant) and one of Mr. Shirley's buildings (bottom, at Clay and Leidesdorff streets). The accompanying text is a laudatory profile of John Shirley, an English-born businessman who arrived in San Francisco 47 years prior (around 1848). It chronicles his real estate accumulation, mining wealth during the Gold Rush, and subsequent investment in San Francisco property. The article praises his integrity, progressive spirit, and faith in the city's future as a major Pacific port. This appears to be **promotional business journalism** rather than satire.