The Wasp — 1881 — page 65: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a man in formal attire balancing precariously between two large seals or coins. The upper seal appears to be labeled "NATIONAL UNITED STATES" (text partially visible), while the lower seal shows what appears to be an eagle with stars. The figure is juggling what looks like military or diplomatic insignia on the right side. The cartoon satirizes political balancing acts, likely commenting on a public figure attempting to maintain conflicting positions or loyalties—possibly between national interests and commercial/military concerns. The precarious pose suggests the instability or absurdity of such contradictory stances. Without clearer text identification, the specific politician and historical moment remain unclear, though the imagery suggests late 19th or early 20th-century American politics.