A saffron dream
Subject(s): Brisbane, Arthur, 1864-1936, Hearst, William Randolph, 1863-1951, Opium, Optimism
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William Randolph Hearst accepts opium from Arthur Brisbane and, while in a drug induced state, dreams of the state house in Albany, New York, and the White House in Washington, D.C.
Comments and Context
Publisher William Randolph Hearst, the fabulously wealthy yellow journalist and Congressman from New York City, is depicted on the joss couch in an opium-induced fantasy. Supplied by Arthur Brisbane, his right-hand and chief editorial writer, he dreams of electoral vistas in Albany and Washington, D.C.
The broken pipe on the floor represents Hearst’s narrow defeat in the 1904 race to be New York City’s mayor. In 1906 Hearst both kept his White House dreams alive, and legitimately craved at-home power by declaring a gubernatorial run in New York State, late in the process.
Except for his two terms in Congress, Hearst was denied the elective-office affirmations he yearned. Over a period of 65 years as a publisher of newspapers, magazines, international news services, and radio networks, he likely yielded more influence than many congressmen, mayors, governors, and perhaps some presidents too.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1906-10-17
Creator(s)
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:
A saffron dream. [October 17, 1906]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o279019. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. A saffron dream. [17 Oct. 1906]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o279019.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1906, October 17]. A saffron dream.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o279019.
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.
