The Wasp — 1896 — page 722: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertisements** for San Francisco businesses (banks, shipping companies, laundries, grain dealers, etc.) from *The Wasp* magazine. However, there are **two satirical cartoon illustrations**: 1. **"Breaking in New Material"** (center): Shows two women in Victorian dress. The caption suggests one woman is complaining about her husband's infidelity. The joke appears to mock marital discord and the "new material" (new romantic interests) husbands pursue. 2. **"A Roarer"** (lower center): Depicts two men in conversation about politics. One says the other "has such a deep, base voice"—likely satirizing politicians who rely on theatrical delivery and bombast rather than substance when discussing political opinions. Both cartoons mock social hypocrisy and shallow rhetoric of the era through exaggerated caricature.