The Wasp — 1879 — page 213: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is primarily a **title page and masthead** for The Illustrated Wasp, a San Francisco satirical weekly. The ornate circular logo features classical figures and imagery typical of 19th-century publications. The main article, "The Church Deacon," critiques lay church authorities—particularly their hypocrisy regarding wealth and moral authority. The text attacks "Church Deacons" as men who demand religious purity from others while personally engaging in fraud, dishonesty, and exploitation. A secondary article addresses **San Francisco's municipal government**, criticizing officials (likely referring to the Dupont Street Commission) for improper handling of public funds and tolerating corruption. The page contains subscription rates and publishing information rather than prominent political cartoons. No specific individuals are caricatured in the visible illustrations.