The fleet protects the nation – Prudential Life Insurance protects the home
Subject(s): Dryden, John F. (John Fairfield), 1839-1911, Gibraltar, Insurance companies, National security, Prudential Insurance Company of America, Warships
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A fleet of steam-powered warships sails past the Rock of Gibraltar. The illustration is labeled, “The Prudential has the Strength of Gibraltar.” Caption: A copy of this inspiring picture in colors will be sent free if you will write, requesting it, to Dept. P, The Prudential Insurance Company of America. John F. Dryden, President. Home Office, Newark, N.J.
Comments and Context
Despite being printed in Puck Magazine, this double-page painting is an advertisement, not a political cartoon.
The painting has political significance, however, and is historical and related to President Roosevelt. It appeared in the patriotic Washington’s Birthday number of Puck, and coincided with the return of the Great White Fleet. The battleship flotilla, painted white to assert good will, had been sent on a circumnavigational cruise to world ports by Roosevelt. It returned to the United States just at this time, only weeks before Roosevelt was to leave office.
The painting, by H. A. Petersen, who was an illustrator and cartoonist for Judge Magazine, shows the Great White Fleet passing the Rock of Gibraltar — corporate symbol of the Prudential Insurance Company.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1909-02-17
Creator(s)
Petersen, H. A. (Heinrich Andreas), 1834-1916
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:
The fleet protects the nation – Prudential Life Insurance protects the home. [February 17, 1909]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291092. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Petersen, H. A. (Heinrich Andreas), 1834-1916. The fleet protects the nation – Prudential Life Insurance protects the home. [17 Feb. 1909]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 13, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291092.
APA:
Petersen, H. A. (Heinrich Andreas), 1834-1916., [1909, February 17]. The fleet protects the nation – Prudential Life Insurance protects the home.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o291092.
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. February 13, 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.
