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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.

See below to view items from this collection.

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.

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You should take Teddy’s advice

You should take Teddy’s advice

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.

Comments and Context

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.

Collection

Marple Collection

“When ‘Teddy’ Comes in Camp”

“When ‘Teddy’ Comes in Camp”

Postcard showing President Roosevelt speaking to several men and soldiers at a camp in Newark, New Jersey. Text on the front indicates this postcard is part of the U.S. Army and National Guard Series.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1905

“The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth”

“The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth”

Political cartoon postcard featuring Theodore Roosevelt emerging from the tall grass with a gun labeled “1912”. President William H. Taft attempts to give Roosevelt a baby labeled “Roosevelt Policies,” stating, “You’re just in time, take back your kid ouch!” as the baby pulls his hair. The White House is in the background.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1910-1912

Col. Roosevelt and the Sioux Falls Press Prize Automobile

Col. Roosevelt and the Sioux Falls Press Prize Automobile

Postcard advertisement showing Theodore Roosevelt standing in front of the Sioux Falls Press Prize Automobile. Text on the front of the postcard states Roosevelt rode in the vehicle on September 4, 1910. Text on the reverse advertises various prizes to be won from a subscription contest through The Sioux Falls Daily Press, including cars, pianos, diamond rings, gold watches, and more.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1910

The President’s Day. Sherman, Texas

The President’s Day. Sherman, Texas

Postcard showing a crowd surrounding a platform with President Roosevelt’s portrait above it in Sherman, Texas. The courthouse in the background is decorated with American flags, bunting, and decorative banners.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1905-04-05

On the Road to Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, L.I.

On the Road to Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, L.I.

Postcard showing a car being driven down a road to Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay. On the left side of the road is the bay and on the right side of the road are trees behind a wooden fence. On the reverse, Elsie M. Early writes to her mother describing her trip to Oyster Bay and Sagamore Hill with her husband, Albert Early.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

1911

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

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

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

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

Hon. John Hay

Hon. John Hay

Postcard featuring a portrait of Secretary of State Hay. A handwritten line on the reverse of the postcard notes Hay was the Secretary of State from 1898-1905, under both William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Marple Collection

Creation Date

Unknown

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

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