The Wasp — 1890 — page 26: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes British financial exploitation of American silver. The figure on the left represents Uncle Sam (identifiable by his starred hat and striped pants), appearing distressed and impoverished. On the right is "John Bull," the personification of Britain, confidently displaying a document detailing profits from the 1888 Royal Mint silver transaction. The document shows Britain's substantial profit—53.8 percent per ounce and £176,339 total—from purchasing American silver bullion. The cartoon criticizes what the artist viewed as an unfair deal where Britain profited enormously while America received far less benefit. The goats depicted likely symbolize the parties involved or perhaps foolishness in the transaction.