The Wasp — 1890 — page 433: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The main cartoon illustrates the article "Concerning Cartoon Papers," which discusses competition among colored cartoon publications. The image shows a grotesque, exaggerated figure operating a printing press or mechanical device—likely representing either a rival cartoon publication or the cartoon industry itself. The accompanying text argues that *The Wasp* is the oldest colored cartoon paper in the United States and superior to competitors like *Puck* and *Judge*. The article critiques rivals' attempts to "compete" with *The Wasp*, suggesting they lack the publication's long-established quality and range of readership. The cartoon itself appears designed to mock or satirize the pretensions of competing publications through caricature and grotesque imagery—a typical approach for satirical magazines of this era.