The Wasp — 1890 — page 250: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon from The Wasp (San Francisco, September 20, 1890) depicting a well-dressed man ice-skating, leaving "marks" on a frozen pond. The title suggests political maneuvering or scheming—"making his marks" likely refers to influencing events or establishing dominance. The central figure appears to be a political or public figure of 1890s San Francisco. Several smaller caricatured heads surround him at the pond's edge, possibly representing political rivals or opponents being pushed aside or dominated by the skater. The satirical point seems to be criticizing this person's manipulative political tactics or ambitions, using the metaphor of skating to suggest moving smoothly while leaving a trail of impact. However, without additional historical context about specific 1890s San Francisco politics, the exact identities and specific references remain unclear.