The Wasp — 1887 — page 383: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts a man standing elevated on a chair, holding what appears to be a baseball, surrounded by a crowd of caricatured figures in 19th-century dress. The caption references both a "baseball mascot" and "Jonah"—a biblical figure whose presence supposedly brought bad luck to those around him. The satire likely comments on a specific public figure or politician whose association with baseball or a sports team was considered jinxed or unlucky. The crowd's animated, gesticulating poses suggest chaos or misfortune. The "Jonah" reference indicates the cartoon mocks someone blamed for bringing failure or disaster to their associates—a common satirical trope for unpopular political figures of the era.