The Wasp — 1888 — page 458: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily a **tourism advertisement** rather than political satire. It promotes Rafael, California and its surroundings to potential visitors. The image shows three scenic vignettes of the area: 1. **Top left**: A pastoral landscape with palm trees and a figure, suggesting the region's pleasant climate 2. **Top right**: "Lagunitas Road" - a tree-lined path with pedestrians 3. **Bottom**: "Hotel Grounds" - a manicured landscape view with mountains in the distance The ornate banner at bottom-left identifies this as promotional material for "Rafael, Cal." The text indicates this was printed by Schmidt Label & Lith Co., S.F. Rather than satire, this represents late 19th/early 20th-century California promotional literature designed to attract tourists and settlers by showcasing natural beauty and hospitality amenities.