The Wasp, 1878 · page 184 of 364
The Wasp — 1878 — page 184: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is the cover of *The Wasp*, a San Francisco satirical magazine from October 19, 1878. The illustration depicts a bearded man in work clothes and a hat pushing a wheelbarrow filled with papers and an American flag. The caption identifies him as "Porter, the Wheelbarrow Man," though the specific historical reference is unclear without additional context. The wheelbarrow likely symbolizes labor or manual work, while the papers and flag suggest political or civic themes. This appears to be commentary on a local San Francisco figure or political issue from 1878, but the exact satirical target requires historical knowledge beyond what the image alone reveals.