The Wasp — 1877 — page 332: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a title page featuring a portrait labeled "THE CAR OF RUSSIA," depicting a bearded man in military dress with medals and a cross decoration. The caption identifies him as the Czar (Tsar) of Russia. Given the 1877 date and San Francisco publication, this likely references Czar Alexander II during the Russo-Turkish War period. The satirical magazine *The Wasp* was known for political commentary, so the portrait probably accompanied an article critiquing Russian imperial power or foreign policy. The ornate masthead design with classical decorative elements and the fairy/cherub imagery was typical of 1870s American periodicals. The page itself serves as the issue's cover or frontmatter, introducing the week's satirical content to San Francisco readers.