Cod-Fish Aristocracy. American wit and humor. New Englanders -- Caricatures and cartoons. Social classes -- Caricatures and cartoons. Women -- Caricatures and cartoons. The woman wears a gown and holds a fan. Her head is shaped like a cod-fish, and the fins resemble strings on a bonnet. Cod-Fish aristocracy was a derogatory term for New Englanders whose family wealth originated in maritime businesses. Text: You wish to be thought "some" we know, / In truth a very odd wish; / Since people say, not long ago, / Your parents dealt in cod-fish. Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector. [S.l. : s.n.] [between 1840 and 1880?] Caricatures and cartoons. Comic valentines. digitool:6362 Comic Valentines, 2.34