Shy
Subject(s): Hamilton, Edward L. (Edward La Rue), 1857-1923, Letter carriers, Mann, William D'Alton, 1839-1920, McCall, John A. (John Augustine), 1849-1906, McCurdy, Richard A. (Richard Aldrich), 1835-1916, McCurdy, Robert, Postal service, Rockefeller, John D. (John Davison), 1839-1937, Rockefeller, John D. (John Davison), 1874-1960, Rogers, Henry Huttleston, 1840-1909, Valentine's Day, Valentines
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An old man labeled “St. Valentine,” carrying a “U.S. Mail” letter pouch, delivers valentines to “Col. W.D. Mann,” John A. “McCall,” Henry H. “Rogers,” John D. Rockefeller Jr., John D. “Rockefeller,” “Son McCurdy,” Edward L. “Hamilton,” and Richard “Pat McCurdy.” Caption: St. Valentine — Don’t be afraid to take ’em, boys. They’re valentines; not subpoenas.
Comments and Context
Even on Valentine’s Day, Puck pursued the scoundrels of the insurance industry and Standard Oil with barbs of criticism, and not the arrows of a Cupid. The figures in the doorway were prominent names before the scandal-hungry public in 1905 and 1906.
To readers today the diminutive figure at their feet might not be a familiar name. In many ways, however, Colonel William D’Alton Mann was powerful. Mann was the publisher of the magazine Town Topics, a respectable-looking and seemingly innocuous journal of high society, listing soirees and charity balls between its profiles of the polo-playing set. Eager readers did not have to read between the lines of conservative typefaces and formal portraits to partake of lurid slop and juicy innuendo.
Mann’s weekly was not only a scandal sheet but also a legitimate record of social events; a strange hybrid. Salacious items were sandwiched between well-written articles by prominent writers (although most of those writers gained prominence after graduating to other publications). Mann launched another magazine that similarly commingled literally appeal and prurience: Smart Set, co-edited for years by H. L. Mencken and George Jean Nathan.
It was accepted wisdom that Town Topics was also a virtual hold-up note. Mann ran news, or suppressed news, according to the amount of favors, gifts, “loans,” and advertising contracts were granted. In 1905 the magazine published a paragraph about some rude activity of President Roosevelt’s daughter Alice in Newport, a playground if the rich. Robert Collier, publisher of the eponymous Weekly, sprang to Alice’s defense in an editorial column and collaterally disparaged Mann, who sued Collier.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1906-02-14
Creator(s)
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
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:
Shy. [February 14, 1906]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278488. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. Shy. [14 Feb. 1906]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278488.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1906, February 14]. Shy.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278488.
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 12, 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.
