The Wasp — 1890 — page 415: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising and humorous filler content** rather than political satire. The visible cartoon at top left shows L.A. Berteling, a "Scientific Optician," depicted in an exaggerated sketch promoting his vision-correction services. The bulk of the page contains **commercial advertisements** (furniture, photography, printing services) interspersed with short humorous dialogue pieces like "The Dog's Christmas Dinner," "Our Brave Defenders," and "Not an Alumnus"—light social comedy with no apparent political target. One recurring joke concerns **social pretension**: "Not an Alumnus" mocks someone claiming college education who patently lacks one. "Winter Racing" humorously depicts marital disagreement over attendance at horse races. The page reflects *The Wasp's* dual nature as both satirical magazine and commercial publication, with advertising revenue offsetting editorial content.