The Wasp — February 14, 1880 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# St. Valentin's Suppliance to the "WASP" **AUTHORITIES** This satirical image depicts what appears to be a domestic or social scene being observed or scrutinized, with the title referencing St. Valentine's Day. The composition suggests commentary on courtship, romance, or relationship dynamics of the era. The "WASP" in the title refers to *The Wasp* magazine itself—a San Francisco-based satirical publication known for biting social and political commentary. The phrase "Suppliance to the WASP" suggests someone (possibly a public figure) is appealing to the magazine's editorial judgment or public opinion. Without clearer identification of the specific figures or the exact historical moment this references, I cannot definitively explain which relationship or social scandal this satirizes. The dramatic staging and multiple observers suggest mockery of either prominent individuals or broader social hypocrisy around romance and propriety.