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From the personal collection of Larry and Julia Marple, the Marple Collection features several high-quality digital scans of Theodore Roosevelt postcards, mainly featuring political cartoons, photographs, and locations visited by Roosevelt. The collection also includes a digitized copy of the speech, “Theodore Roosevelt: ‘The Most Courageous American,’” by Warren G. Harding and a letter written by secretary, George B. Cortelyou, on behalf of Roosevelt.
Larry and Julia Marple are educators from Ohio, and have spent decades learning about Theodore Roosevelt and collecting Theodore Roosevelt memorabilia. The Marples are also well-known for their reenactments of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt across the country, including during summers in Medora, North Dakota. The Marples are involved with the Theodore Roosevelt Association and the American Political Items Collectors group, and Larry Marple co-hosts the podcast “Talk About Teddy” with Kurt Skinner.
To view items from the Marple Collection, please see below.
For more information on the Marple Collection, please click here to read a transcript of an interview conducted via email by co-director Erik Johnson with the Marples in 2025.
Photograph of dozens of sailors on a covered ship deck. The sailors are wearing white uniforms and hats. “Santiago de Cuba” is printed on the reverse of the photograph.
1910
Photograph of Morro Castle in Havana, Cuba.
Prior to the start of the Spanish-American War, the USS Maine was sunk in Havana Harbor, close to Morro Castle. Photograph may have been taken by a United States Navy sailor during their voyage to Havana, Cuba in 1910.
Postcard featuring a black and white photograph of Theodore Roosevelt, Mayor of Denver Robert Walter Speer, and Colorado Governor John F. Shafroth in Denver, Colorado.
Theodore Roosevelt was in Denver, Colorado to review a parade given in his honor. Roosevelt gave speeches for the Colorado Livestock Association, the state legislature, and veterans of the Spanish-American War during this visit. He was endorsed by Mayor Speer and Governor Shafroth, both of whom were Democrats. More information about Roosevelt’s trip west in 1910 can be found in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Chronology January 1909 to December 1912 by Robert J. Moore.
Postcard featuring a photograph of the lion display at the Smithsonian Institution. The lions in the display were collected by Theodore Roosevelt while on safari in 1909.
1910-1913
Postcard featuring a drawing of a mosquito carrying a sleeping child over a body of water.
Unknown
Paper with a photograph of Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt on one side and his signature with the note “good luck!” on the reverse. The note is written on Assistant Secretary of the Navy letterhead.
1921-1924
Postcard with a photograph of Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Nicholas Longworth with others on a decorated platform in front of a crowd.
1906-10-04
Signature of Alice Roosevelt on a White House calling card.
1906
Posted envelope for the 25th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park signed by Alice Roosevelt Longworth.
1972-04-25
Medal given to Chief Trumpeter Sergeant Clay W. Platt for his service in “Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.”
1898
Postcard announcing President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Lansing on May 31, 1907. The postcard features a cartoon of Roosevelt wearing a suit, pince-nez glasses, and holding a big stick in his hand.
1907
Blue postal stamp with portraits of the two republican candidates of the 1904 election– President Theodore Roosevelt and vice presidential candidate, Charles W. Fairbanks– in a pair of pince-nez glasses.
1904-1908
Green presidential honor stamp made by the Ohio War Savings Committee featuring Theodore Roosevelt.
1914-1919
Tri-fold postcard showing Theodore Roosevelt giving a speech to a large crowd at Camp Grant. Roosevelt is standing on a covered platform decorated with American flags in the distance. A note from Henry Hysel on the reverse informs the recipient he attended this speech.
1917
Leather postcard featuring a drawing of Theodore Roosevelt with a gun walking and showing off a bear on a leash with a muzzle. Text on the front of the postcard indicates Roosevelt is showing off the bear he recently captured. A handwritten note on the reverse says “I Will Put your name on here next week.”
Unknown
Pamphlet of a speech given by Warren G. Harding to the Ohio Legislature on January 26, 1919 praising Theodore Roosevelt for his patriotism and Americanism. Harding comments on Roosevelt’s involvement in the Panama Canal, support for American involvement in the First World War, and his radical, yet noble views.
1920
Leather postcard showing Theodore Roosevelt holding two babies. Roosevelt is carrying another two babies in the pockets of a large overcoat that has been colored red.
This postcard addresses Theodore Roosevelt’s views on race decadence and family size. Roosevelt was against birth control and believed that it was the duty of white American citizens to have large families to prevent the decline of the white race in the United States.
Postcard showing Theodore Roosevelt sitting in a car in front of the Water Gap House in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. Several individuals surround the car and are lined up on the porch of the resort. A handwritten message on the reverse of the postcard asks the recipient to take notice of the photograph on the front.
1949
Colorized postcard showing the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, Indiana decorated with portraits, flags, and flowers for Theodore Roosevelt’s visit. A handwritten note on the back notes the opera house is in the “Vale of Paradise.”
1910
Postcard featuring a political cartoon of President Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan, and William H. Taft playing baseball. The postcard shows Roosevelt, the catcher, and Taft, the pitcher, teaming up against Bryan, the batter. The postcard references Bryan’s failed attempts at becoming president, and foresees another loss in the 1908 election. A handwritten note on the reverse compares Sylvester Rucker’s run for mayor to that of Bryan.
1908