The Wasp — 1890 — page 269: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **real estate advertising** for Park Block 387 in San Francisco, featuring a large illustration of a caricatured figure labeled "AUCTIONEER" standing triumphantly atop a globe. The cartoon uses exaggerated portraiture typical of satirical magazines—the auctioneer's prominent features emphasize his role as a promoter of the property sale. The "reasons why you should buy" section highlights San Francisco's development: proximity to Golden Gate Park, affordable pricing, and new infrastructure (cable cars, steam heating). The satirical edge lies in the exaggerated sales rhetoric—the auctioneer's theatrical pose mocks the era's aggressive real estate speculation and promotional hype during San Francisco's boom period. The rest of the page contains humorous anecdotes and social commentary unrelated to the main cartoon.