The Wasp — 1888 — page 272: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This *Wasp* cartoon from April 7, 1888, depicts a bearded man in formal dress striking an exaggerated theatrical pose between two chairs labeled "Mayoralty" and "Governorship." The figure appears to be a political candidate uncertain which office to pursue, hence the title "In a Quandary." The satirical point targets a politician's indecision or opportunistic juggling of ambitions during San Francisco's 1888 election season. The theatrical staging—with draped curtains and the figure's dramatic posture—mocks the performative nature of politics and suggests the subject is more concerned with appearance than substance. The specific identity remains unclear without additional context, though the elaborate caricature indicates he was a recognizable San Francisco political figure of that era.