The Chicago Neptune
Subject(s): Illinois--Chicago, New York (State)--New York, Shipping
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Father Knickerbocker, the traditional symbol of New York City, “N.Y.” sits atop buildings on New York’s waterfront. Strings attached to his fingers extend to ships at the dock and beyond, presumably to overseas connections. In the background is a small figure labeled “Neptune” holding a trident and standing on Chicago’s waterfront area, with a sign stating “Chicago 1000 miles to the sea” and with factories spewing thick black smoke. Caption: Father Knickerbocker. — That’s all right; but what you need is less smoke and more salt water!
Comments and Context
The rivalry between New York City and Chicago, especially as the City of the Broad Shoulders rebuilt after the Chicago Fire of 1871, was argued on many fields: culture, commerce, population, architecture, transportation, and finance, to name a few. Chicago beat New York in the competition to host the 1893 World’s Fair and at the time of this cartoon was pioneering the concept of skyscrapers. In 1901 the Chicago Tribune wrote, “The newest thing in the racing field is the skyscraper. It involved Chicago and New York, and as usual Chicago is in the lead.” Puck, published in New York City, answered the bell in this cartoon by Louis Dalrymple.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1901-05-15
Creator(s)
Period
Vice President of the United States (1901)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
The Chicago Neptune. [May 15, 1901]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275842. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Dalrymple, Louis, 1866-1905. The Chicago Neptune. [15 May. 1901]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275842.
APA:
Dalrymple, Louis, 1866-1905., [1901, May 15]. The Chicago Neptune.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o275842.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
