The Wasp — 1890 — page 482: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page features a large engraved illustration titled "Is Beecham a fit to be Beecham?" with text referencing Beecham's Pills as being "worth a guinea a box." The image shows a man in period dress (appears to be 18th or 19th century clothing) in a contemplative pose. The satirical headline plays on the name "Beecham," likely referring to Beecham's Pills, a popular patent medicine of the era. The cartoon appears to mock either the product's efficacy or someone associated with it through a pun on the surname. The small text below the image mentions digestive complaints and other medical claims typical of patent medicine advertisements—suggesting *The Wasp* is satirizing both the product and the exaggerated health claims common in contemporary advertising. The joke seems to question whether Beecham (the product or person) deserves its high price and reputation.