The Wasp — 1888 — page 45: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts a well-dressed man reacting with shock to a bill marked "COFFEE 700—" (likely $7.00), shown by another figure. The title "The Wasp" and caption suggest this is political satire about inflation or price gouging. The exaggerated facial expression and dramatic pose of the man on the left—appearing to be an official or government figure based on his formal attire—ridicule his surprise at high costs. The basket of items at lower left suggests everyday goods have become expensive. Without the magazine's date visible, the specific political context remains unclear, but the cartoon satirizes either an official's ignorance of public hardship or criticism of rapid price increases affecting ordinary people.