The Wasp — 1890 — page 427: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **real estate advertising** for a "Monster Auction Sale" of 170 residence sites in Clarendon Heights, San Francisco (dated June 5, 1896). The prominent illustration shows a cartoonish figure standing atop a globe labeled "Ruggles" and "Real Estate Agents & Auctioneers," emphasizing the company's grandiose marketing. The page also contains three short literary/satirical pieces ("The Strike is Extending," "His Last Resort," "Give the Dog Time") and a sketch of an anxious face. These appear unrelated to the real estate content—typical filler humor for The Wasp's satirical magazine format. The advertising dominates, highlighting desirable features: bay views, ocean views, proximity to the Golden Gate Park, and "extraordinary terms" (80% cash, 6% annual interest). This reflects 1890s San Francisco's real estate boom.