The Wasp — 1878 — page 208: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* contains a satirical cartoon with the heading "FOR SALE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER" and text referencing "JAMES TOWN" (likely Jamestown). The cartoon depicts a large, grotesquely caricatured figure—possibly representing a politician or corporate entity—being auctioned off. A well-dressed auctioneer or salesman stands above, while smaller figures below appear to be competing bidders or observers of this "sale." The satire appears to criticize political or corporate corruption, suggesting that some powerful figure or institution is literally "for sale" to the highest bidder—a commentary on bribery, influence-peddling, or the commodification of political power. The exaggerated caricature and auction framing emphasize the cartoonist's contempt for what they viewed as brazenly corrupt dealings.