The Wasp — 1894 — page 63: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page mixes satirical cartoons with advertisements for San Francisco businesses. The top cartoon, "How the Thing is Done," depicts a man and elegantly-dressed woman examining what appears to be a wasp—likely referencing The Wasp magazine itself as a tool for social commentary or gossip. The dialogue suggests the publication exposes or "stings" social figures. The lower cartoon, "Preparing for the Masquerade," shows women in elaborate dress preparations, satirizing the pretense and artificiality of formal social events—a common target of Victorian-era satirical magazines. The page's substantial right column consists of advertisements for San Francisco manufacturers and businesses, suggesting The Wasp relied heavily on local commercial support to fund its satirical content.