Setting ’em off
Subject(s): Firecrackers, Fourth of July, Fourth of July celebrations, Presidents, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
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Exploding firecrackers labeled “Land Grafter, Congressman, Financier, Senator, Deliberate & Unqualified, Rail Road Pres., Undesirable Citizen, [and] Nature Faker” have been ignited using a “Teddy Punk” stick. Caption: Every day is Fourth of July with Theodore.
Comments and Context
Many cartoonists through the years of Theodore Roosevelt’s life and presidency found inspiration in his many interests, multitude of activities, and ranger of accomplishments. As a true polymath, Roosevelt was a magnet for cartoonists who were amazed, as were average citizens, by the many aspects of their president.
Cartoonist Frank A. Nankivell, for the celebratory Fourth of July issue of Puck in 1907, did not dwell on Roosevelt as politician, nor the upcoming presidential election, nor the accomplishments of that most perfervid legislative year, 1906. Rather he takes a breath, so to speak, in the mid-point of Roosevelt’s second term, and addresses the man Roosevelt — the “Most Interesting American,” as Julian Street would call him.
Here, in a somewhat confusing graphic arrangement, are exploding firecrackers labeled with Roosevelt’s favorite causes, his colorful phrases, and his most memorable controversies. The Puck cover reminds us, through the passing year, that “every day [was as] the Fourth of July with Theodore.”
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1907-06-26
Creator(s)
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959
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:
Setting ’em off. [June 26, 1907]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285760. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959. Setting ’em off. [26 Jun. 1907]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285760.
APA:
Nankivell, Frank A. (Frank Arthur), 1869-1959., [1907, June 26]. Setting ’em off.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285760.
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. August 3, 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.
