The Wasp — 1879 — page 205: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The single cartoon on this page depicts a wasp labeled "THE WASP" riding or perched on what appears to be a large insect or creature. The image serves as the magazine's masthead illustration, establishing the publication's identity and satirical brand. The remainder of the page consists entirely of humorous anecdotes and short jokes compiled from various American newspapers and publications (credited sources like *N.Y. Herald*, *N.Y. Mail*, *Chicago Tribune*, etc.). These brief comedic pieces cover everyday domestic situations, marital relationships, and social observations typical of late 19th/early 20th-century American humor—ranging from husband-and-wife exchanges to observations about human nature and social pretension. The content represents the magazine's core function: collecting and republishing contemporary American wit.