The Wasp — 1891 — page 503: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts a large, caricatured figure labeled "KANSAS CITY" (visible on the object he holds) interacting with a smaller man on the right. The exaggerated facial features and grotesque style are characteristic of 19th-century satirical cartooning. The dates "NOV. 1890" and "FEB. 1891" suggest this tracks Kansas City's development or transformation over a three-month period. The central figure's prominent size and aggressive posture, contrasted with the smaller figure's apparent surprise or alarm, likely satirizes Kansas City's rapid growth or some boom-related phenomenon during this period. The artist's signature reads "SAALBURG." Without additional context from *The Wasp's* editorial content, the specific political or social critique remains unclear, though it appears to comment on Kansas City's expanding influence or character.