The Wasp — 1888 — page 353: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains three separate satirical sections rather than a unified cartoon. **"Peck's Hated Rival"** attacks Charley Seymour, a political figure, using a personal anecdote about his character flaws and alleged hypocrisy regarding women and class. **"Commerce and Flattery"** satirizes a dry-goods store proprietor who uses dishonest sales tactics and flattery to manipulate female customers, particularly regarding their appearance. **"Whittlings"** collects brief satirical observations on various social topics, including theatrical anecdotes and character critiques. The central illustration depicts a woman with an elaborate parasol in Victorian dress, likely representing feminine vanity or fashion pretension—a common Wasp target. The magazine employs personal attacks and social commentary typical of late-19th-century American satirical journalism, mocking both political figures and everyday social hypocrisy.