The Wasp — 1879 — page 86: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is predominantly **advertising rather than political satire**. It contains commercial notices for San Francisco businesses circa the 1870s-80s, including: - **Omnibus/rail services** and steamship schedules - **Neptune Mermaid Swimming Baths** (a public bathing facility) - **Dinner sets** and household goods - **Tailoring services** and cigarettes The only illustrated element is a detailed engraving of the **Neptune Mermaid Swimming Baths** facility, showing an outdoor bathing complex with structures and swimmers. The central image depicts a classical female figure (a mermaid) overlooking the establishment—a common Victorian-era marketing device to evoke luxury and leisure. There is **no political cartoon or satire visible**. This appears to be a standard advertising page from The Wasp's commercial section.