The Wasp — 1895 — page 590: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily the title page and masthead of *The Wasp*, "The Oldest Colored Cartoon Paper in America" (established 1876), a San Francisco satirical weekly. The ornate header features the publication's name with decorative flourishes and a small wasp illustration. The page includes subscription information, publishing details, and several short satirical articles rather than visual cartoons. The pieces target various figures: Senator Jeremiah Lynch (regarding dental payment disputes), a bank cashier named Frederickes (accused of crime), and references to Oakland/Alameda county assessor Dalton and Judge Murphy regarding legal matters. The humor relies on detailed, text-based political commentary typical of 19th-century satirical journalism rather than illustrated cartoons.