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Marple Collection

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.

clipping with photograph of President Roosevelt, away from the cares of state, 1903

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Roosevelt Viewing the Team

Roosevelt Viewing the Team

Postcard showing The Old Oregon Trail Monument Expedition covered wagon and oxen in Washington D.C following Ezra Meeker’s trip from Washington state. Full-body portraits of President Roosevelt and Meeker have been placed to the left of the wagon. Several other people and a dog are standing around the wagon. Text on the reverse notes Roosevelt’s support for monuments along the Oregon Trail and a pending congressional bill to complete the work.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1907

Creator(s)

Unknown

“Old Man” Youve Got A Slim Chance

“Old Man” Youve Got A Slim Chance

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.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1908

Creator(s)

Jones & Sellars

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, Ind.

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, Ind.

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.”

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1910

Creator(s)

Starr, Elmer E.

At Water Gap House, Del. Water Gap, Pa.

At Water Gap House, Del. Water Gap, Pa.

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.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1949

Creator(s)

Hanser's Souvenir Store

Give us Roosevelt or we will take Bryan

Give us Roosevelt or we will take Bryan

Postcard calling for President Roosevelt to run for a third presidential term. If Roosevelt does not get elected, there is support for William Jennings Bryan in the 1908 presidential election. On the reverse of the postcard, Bavis C. Nay asks Felix O. Peckinpaugh his opinions on the sentiment of the card, as he has heard some support for the notion.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1908

Creator(s)

A. H. Company; Eckstone, C.; Nay, Bavis C. (Bavis Clay), 1877-1915

Col. Roosevelt in a Spec. 45 Glide Touring Car

Col. Roosevelt in a Spec. 45 Glide Touring Car

Postcard featuring a photograph of Theodore Roosevelt and four men sitting in a car decorated with various flags, including a Knights of Columbus flag, an American flag, and a welcome flag with Roosevelt’s likeness on it. A few individuals can be seen jumping onto or sitting on the back of the car. A message on the reverse of the postcard from Albert A. Kroegel to Louise Kroegel discusses his plans for his trip home.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1911

Creator(s)

Apeda Studio (New York, N.Y.); Kroegel, Albert A. (Albert Adam), 1887-1961

Good Bye Teddy

Good Bye Teddy

Postcard showing an embossed Teddy Bear and Billy Possum clasping hands as the Teddy Bear leaves Washington, D.C. and Billy Possum walks towards the capitol. A photograph of Theodore Roosevelt is featured to the left of the bear and a photograph of William H. Taft is featured to the right of Billy Possum.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1909

Creator(s)

Unknown

Rough Rider Monument, Prescott, Arizona

Rough Rider Monument, Prescott, Arizona

Colorized postcard of the Rough Rider Monument in a park in Prescott, Arizona. The monument features the likeness of William Owen O’Neill riding a horse. Two individuals are sitting on a bench behind the monument and a few buildings in the town are visible in the background.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

Unknown

Creator(s)

Unknown

Buckey O’Neill Monument Prescott, Arizona

Buckey O’Neill Monument Prescott, Arizona

Postcard showing the Buckey O’Neill Monument in Prescott, Arizona. The monument, also known as the Rough Riders Monument, features William Owen O’Neill on a horse. The name “Dep [?] John Spring” is handwritten on the reverse of the postcard.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

Unknown

Creator(s)

Unknown

Bucky O’Neil Monument, Prescott, Ariz.

Bucky O’Neil Monument, Prescott, Ariz.

Colorized postcard showing the Buckey O’Neill Monument in Prescott, Arizona. The monument features William Owen O’Neill on a horse. A message on the reverse notes the monument is also in memory of the Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and praises Prescott.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1909-04-09

Creator(s)

Rieder, M.; Unknown

Quentin Roosevelt’s grave

Quentin Roosevelt’s grave

Postcard of the grave of Quentin Roosevelt in Sergy, France. A wooden fence surrounds the grave, decorated with an American flag and a wooden cross. A handwritten note under the photograph on the front of the postcard states he was buried in this grave by Germans.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

Unknown

Creator(s)

Unknown