Print shows New York Herald editor James Gordon Bennett, holding a shotgun and carrying a bag labeled “Game Bag for Sensations J. G. Bennett,” standing next to a scarecrow labeled “$500.00 Herald Cheque” and “This is not the Original Hartman.” The scarecrow, armed with bombs, a knife, and a handgun, looks like Leo Hartmann who was apparently involved in the 1879 assassination attempt of Alexander II, Emperor of Russia. Looking over a stone wall is Secretary of State James G. Blaine who stated in the press that he could not make a statement regarding the extradition of Hartman prior to a request for such action by Russian authorities. In the background, on a mound of earth labeled “Russia,” Alexander III, Emperor of Russia, is sitting on a large chair labeled “Chair of Alexander III,” reading the “New York Herald.” An opening beneath the chair is labeled “The Real and Only Hartman Private Office” and shows a man who also looks like Leo Hartmann, waving. Caption: J.G.B. – This has been a hard hunt for a sham Hartmann!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1881-09-07

Creator(s)

Wales, James Albert, 1852-1886

Period

Youth (October 27, 1858-1881)

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Page Count

1

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

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 hoaxer hoaxed. [September 7, 1881]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287520. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Wales, James Albert, 1852-1886. The hoaxer hoaxed. [7 Sep. 1881]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287520.

APA:

Wales, James Albert, 1852-1886., [1881, September 7]. The hoaxer hoaxed.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o287520.

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.