The Wasp — 1890 — page 179: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical financial cartoon uses anthropomorphized figures to mock stock market conditions. The five vignettes show personified market sectors in various states of distress or inactivity: - **"Fish quiet"** and **"Leather down"** depict slumping commodity markets - **"Hay quiet"** references agricultural stagnation - **"Live stock very active"** shows the only robust sector The accompanying article discusses San Francisco real estate transactions, telephone company franchises, and labor strikes in manufacturing—particularly ironworkers boycotting Eastern firms. The satire critiques market volatility, corporate monopolies (the Pacific Bell Telephone Company), and labor disputes affecting California's economy during what appears to be the late 19th century.