The Wasp — 1890 — page 162: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily a hotel directory and advertisements for San Francisco-area establishments, interspersed with brief humorous columns and jokes rather than political cartoons. The content includes satirical short pieces like "Overheard in a Book Store" (joking about pronunciation of "Baskirtskoff"), "A Legitimate Privilege" (a dialogue about wedding attendants), and "A Mighty Witness" (a courtroom exchange). These are gentle social humor rather than hard political satire. The right column features patent medicine advertisements, including "The Specific A No. 1" for young men and "Blood" tonic—typical turn-of-the-century dubious medical claims. There's also an advertisement for "The Pacific Asylum" for mental health treatment. The page reflects *The Wasp's* mixed function as both satirical publication and commercial directory/advertising vehicle rather than primarily a political cartoon magazine.