The Wasp — January 17, 1880 — page 2: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Emperor Norton This page from The Wasp (January 17, 1880) features a portrait labeled "† EMPEROR NORTON," depicting a bearded man in a military uniform with ornate shoulder epaulettes. Joshua Norton was a real San Francisco eccentric who declared himself "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico" in 1859. He issued his own currency, wore a military uniform, and was tolerated—even celebrated—by the city's residents as a harmless oddity. The † symbol indicates Norton had recently died (January 8, 1880). The Wasp's satirical tribute presents him respectfully in formal military dress, likely mocking both Norton's delusions of grandeur and San Francisco's sentimental embrace of him. The piece represents the city's affection for its most famous eccentric character.