Here is another cartoon showing “California,” as she is depicted on the State Seal.

The Wasp, 19 July 1890

The Wasp didn’t always explain its cartoons, but this seems to have reference to a short item in the paper:

Word comes from Chicago that California cannot have ten acres of ground space at the World’s Fair, because Florida might ask for that much room and the commissioners be unable to allow it.

Florida as portrayed here is hardly the equal of California. California has her magnificent bear; Florida has a healthy but lowly and dangerous alligator. California is accompanied by a hardy miner with a sack of gold over his shoulder, while Florida’s companion is a seedy-looking real estate promoter with a bottle of quinine in his pocket to fight off malaria. Florida’s little orange tree can’t compete with California’s chariot full of large oranges, olives, grapes, wine, and a pineapple.

A closer look at the pages:

Statue of Minerva in Heidelburg

California is dressed in her garb as Minerva (or Athena), with helmet, breastplate, shield and sword. Note the fashionable wasp-waist in the illustration.

Florida is nice enough looking, but not a rival in beauty or fashion for California.