The Wasp — 1879 — page 48: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts various figures beneath a fruit tree labeled "TREE OF FORBIDDEN FRUIT." The central tall figure wearing "N.B.A.B." (likely a banking institution) is surrounded by smaller caricatured men labeled with different banks: "WELLS FARGO," "LONDON & S.F.," "NEVADA BANK," and "HIBERNIA BANK." The satire critiques California banking institutions and their leaders, portraying them as greedy figures reaching for or consuming the tree's fruit—apparently representing ill-gotten profits or corrupt financial gains. The smaller figures at right appear to be ordinary citizens or victims of banking practices. The "forbidden fruit" metaphor suggests these bankers are engaging in unethical or illegal financial activities. Flying insects above may represent parasitism or corruption spreading from these institutions.