The Wasp — 1878 — page 32: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical page from *The Wasp* appears to depict various prominent San Francisco figures as theatrical performers or carnival attractions. The title "The Big Show of Francisco" suggests the page mocks the city's political and social elite as entertainers or fraudsters putting on a spectacle for the public. The multiple caricatured heads and figures—some wearing military or formal dress, others depicted in exaggerated or absurd poses—likely represent local politicians, businessmen, or other public figures of the era. The theatrical framing and costume elements suggest *The Wasp* is ridiculing these individuals as pretentious performers rather than serious public servants. Without clearer labels identifying specific figures, the precise targets remain unclear, though the overall message criticizes San Francisco's establishment as a dishonest "show."