The Wasp — 1878 — page 56: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the cover of The Wasp (No. 3, August 24, 1878), a San Francisco satirical magazine priced at 10 cents. The cartoon depicts a rotund, elaborately dressed figure labeled "The Brooklyn Comedian" performing in an exaggerated theatrical pose. The character appears to be a caricature of a well-known entertainer from Brooklyn, though the specific performer is unclear from the image alone. The figure is shown in mid-performance with theatrical costume and dramatic gestures, standing behind what appears to be a stage railing. The satire likely mocks this entertainer's theatrical pretensions or performance style. The caption's phrase "in his glorie" uses deliberate misspelling for comedic effect. Without additional historical context, the specific critique remains somewhat unclear, but the overall tone suggests mockery of theatrical excess or a particular performer's popularity.