Same old presents
Subject(s): Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925, Christmas, Dame Democracy (Symbolic character), Gifts
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Miss Democracy wakes up startled, in bed, on Christmas day. Her bedroom is filled with presents, everything bearing the countenance of William Jennings Bryan: the ornaments on the Christmas tree, the face on the grandfather clock, the handle on an umbrella, the inside of the horn on a gramophone, as well as Bryan portraits, busts, pillows, and dolls, and a copy of “Bryanecdotes.”
Comments and Context
The issue of Puck dated Christmas Day 1907 contained a center-spread drawing at once a great political cartoon, and greatly funny — a humorous commentary. The subject was the imminent presidential campaign the following year.
“Same Old Presents” might have tempted Keppler to substitute with “Know All Men By These Presents” — for Puck‘s cartoonists seldom were beneath punning (“these presents” literally referring to details of a legal announcement) — but the variety of items adorned with the likeness of William Jennings Bryan is clever and humorous.
Bryan had been the Democrat Party’s presidential nominee in 1896 and 1900; sat aside in 1904; and returned, full of wind and fury, policies and ambition, for 1908. An empty field of rivals made his renomination virtually inevitable.
Such a “neat package,” or panoply of presents at Christmastime, should have pleased any political party preparing for a major contest. But Kappler masterfully depicted the Old Maid Democracy registering cataclysmic horror as she survey’s Santa’s gifts.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1907-12-25
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:
Same old presents. [December 25, 1907]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285990. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. Same old presents. [25 Dec. 1907]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 26, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285990.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1907, December 25]. Same old presents.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o285990.
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 26, 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.
