The Wasp — 1878 — page 304: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

**Main Cartoon (top left):** Two figures in profile labeled "On state occasions his Excellency Chin Lan Pin chalks his queue—uen." This appears to be a racial caricature mocking a Chinese official or diplomat, with exaggerated features typical of 19th-century American racist satire. The joke seems to center on grooming or cosmetic preparation for formal occasions. **Advertisements:** The page primarily contains miscellaneous short humor items and a full-page advertisement for Piper-Heidsieck champagne (bottom right), featuring a bottle illustration. **Context:** Published in *The Wasp*, a San Francisco-based satirical weekly, this reflects the era's casual xenophobia toward Chinese immigrants and residents during a period of significant anti-Chinese sentiment in California.