The Wasp — 1876 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the inaugural issue cover of San Francisco's satirical magazine *The Wasp*. The ornate title typography features whimsical creatures and figures among vine-like decorations—typical of Victorian design. The lower cartoon depicts "The Assessor Persecuting the Two 'Poorest' Men in San Francisco." Two well-dressed men at a signpost (pointing to Virginia City and San Mateo) appear to be confronted by an official. The dialogue suggests satire about wealth inequality and tax assessment: one character claims poverty while apparently possessing assets ("my elephant"). The cartoon likely critiques selective enforcement of taxes on San Francisco's wealthy or prominent citizens, or exposes fraudulent claims of poverty by the affluent.