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Business card of Arthur J. Jones, a teacher a the Browning School in New York City, advertising private tutoring services from June to October. A handwritten note additionally offers educational tours.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-18
Herbert S. Houston heartily thanks Theodore Roosevelt for the letter to be read at the upcoming advertising club convention. He is disappointed that Roosevelt cannot attend but finds the letter an acceptable substitute and is certain it will be well-received for endorsing a position of honest advertising.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-31
Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt confirms with Charles Stelzle the message he gave Stelzle’s secretary, that there is to be absolutely no announcement made that Theodore Roosevelt will be present at the Labor Temple. If anything leaks out regarding Roosevelt’s presence, Roosevelt will not attend because he wants to come unannounced.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-13
George B. Cortelyou informs Caspar Whitney of the Outing that President Roosevelt wishes for the articles he sent Whitney to be “treated in the same dignified manner, with the same freedom from advertising,” that he requested from Charles Scribner regarding some different articles. Only under these conditions can Roosevelt consent to the publication of the articles.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-05
Walter F. McGinnis asks Theodore Roosevelt to promote the Kaffir Corn Carnival in the Outlook and invites Roosevelt to attend.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-07
This advertisement for the tree spraying business run by H. L. Frost and Company offers information about the company and a page of statements from satisfied customers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-1905
In this vignette cartoon, President Roosevelt and members of his cabinet appear at the center in a meeting. Each has a signboard advertising a patent medicine or other product on their back. Roosevelt’s says, “Strenoline The Famous Vigor Producer A De-Lightful Stimulant, Nervy Mfg. Co, Royster Bay.” Surrounding the central image are scenes showing men, animals, and statues, all with signboards, including an elephant labeled “G.O.P. The Great Tariff Comedian – Continuous Performances.”
One of cartoonist Samuel Ehrhart’s now-standard vignette cartoons in Puck, a topic of the day with variations on a theme, in this double-spread was quite standard. The single concept of advertisements encroaching on daily life is played, and stretched, most of the humor derived from puns or association with names of celebrities and professions. Since the 1880s, Puck had lampooned advertising signs on elevated trains and commercial billboards, so this cartoon focusing on sandwich boards was a variation. Present-day eyes might require details about long-forgotten issues and personalities, however.
The street cleaner with “White Wings” on his sign is a reference to the contemporary nickname for New York City’s street-cleaning squad. In 1895 the new reform mayor William Strong was determined to clean the city streets of garbage, clutter, and horse manure. As a mark of how serious he assayed the challenge, he hired “Colonel” George Waring as Sanitation Commissioner, a position he originally intended to offer to Theodore Roosevelt.
Photograph of the Rough Riders Hotel before reconstruction, view of the front and side of the building with an advertisement painted on the side.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1963-07
1880s advertising card for shoes from Reynolds Brothers. Features a picture of a young girl with dog.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1880-1890
1880s advertising card for Clark’s Spool Cotton. Features a picture of the United State Capitol.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1880-1890
1880s advertising card for Syrup of Figs from the California Fig Syrup Co. Features a picture a woman picking figs.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1880-1890
1884 advertising card for Granite Ironware, available for sale by John C. Sullivan of Zanesville, Ohio. Features a picture of a woman with a cow holding a metal milk pitcher.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1884
Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary requests that Advance Machinery Company stop using Roosevelt’s photograph in their advertisement. Harper also asks that the company destroy all remaining copies of the advertisement. If the company does not comply with this request then Roosevelt will have to take steps to force the company to stop.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-09-07
Theodore Roosevelt is unable to approval C. O. Nelson’s advertisement. His secretary suggests that Nelson contact the Roosevelt Headquarters in Chicago for further action regarding his work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-06-10
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Thomas W. Latham for the advertisement and letter sent to Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-05-08
Theodore Roosevelt informs Robert A. Leet that The Outlook has stopped publishing the Rexall advertisements except for the “entirely innocent form” of the Rexall Hair Tonic, because they are under contract to publish them for the next year. The advertisement that Leet sent is not the kind that has ever appeared in the periodical.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-01
President Roosevelt would be pleased to accept the gift of a jacket from Ernest A. Grunsfeld, but asks that he not use Roosevelt’s acceptance as a means of advertising.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-05
President Roosevelt writes to Henry Lee Higginson about some of the actions that railroads and corporations have taken to try to influence public opinion regarding legislation in congress related to trusts and interstate commerce laws. Roosevelt agrees with Higginson about wanting a good system of banking and currency, and says that while Higginson may not like the bill put forward by Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich, it is the only one that has been proposed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-19
President Roosevelt asks Secretary of Agriculture Wilson if he can take action regarding an advertising campaign by Duffy’s malt whisky, in which the brand claims that it has a number of medicinal properties. Roosevelt believes these claims place the whiskey “clearly within the class of the most objectionable fake patent medicine.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-01-20
President Roosevelt confirms with Secretary of War Taft that he will ask the Mayflower to be sent to pick up Secretary of State Elihu Root and his family. Regarding the Panama Canal, Roosevelt reiterates that quick and effective construction is his first priority, and that as the current laborers from the West Indies have not been satisfactory, they should try the experiment of hiring Chinese laborers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-31