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Theodore Roosevelt recounts for George von Lengerke Meyer the “really great sport” he and son Kermit Roosevelt are encountering on their African safari, including the numbers and types of animals they’ve killed. Roosevelt hopes Meyer will give his regards to his wife Marian Alice Appleton Meyer and President Taft, whom he thinks “has done admirably.”
Massachusetts Historical Society
1909-05-17
Theodore Roosevelt poses with his latest hunting trophy.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1909
Theodore Roosevelt poses with his latest hunting trophy.
Massachusetts Historical Society
1909
Sheet music for “Teddy, We’re Glad You’re Here,” a song welcoming back Theodore Roosevelt from his African safari and imploring him to give up “the strenuous life” and let America love him. The cover features a portrait illustration of Roosevelt surround by hands reaching for the portrait and animals. There is also illustrations of the Sphinx and Roosevelt riding a camel.
Dr. Danny O. Crew Theodore Roosevelt Sheet Music Collection
1910
Postcard is part of the Roosevelt Tour series. Description of the reverse says: “RHINOCEROS AT REST. The Roosevelt photographer who took this picture of a rhinoceros sunning himself on his native velt, had a narrow escape. The animal charged him and he had to flee, leaving his camera. The rhinoceros is the most dangerous animal in the African wilds, as he has a very uncertain temper and will often charge a man without the slightest warning. He is, however, very stupid and almost blind and cannot see anything distinctly at a distance of ten yards. The recourse of the hunter is to remain still and the chances are very good that the rhinoceros will miss him in his charge. They have been known to have horns as long as 47 inches.”
1909
Postcard is part of the wilds of Africa series. Illustration shows an enlarged warthog climbing out of the water. Also visible are hunters and a hippopotamus. Reverse has an explanation of warthog characteristics and an advertisement for Warner’s White Wine of Tar Syrup.
1909
This postcard is part of the Roosevelt Tour series, with an image of a forest on the front. Reverse has the description: “THE TROPIC JUNGLE. This is a characteristic photograph of the jungle lands of the coast country and of Uganda. Col. Roosevelt is doing most of his hunting, however, on the plains of Athi in the Masai country, which is in the belt between. There is not as much big game in the Uganda country owing to the fact that there is a greater native population there. In the central plateau, half the population was decimated in recent years by the sleeping sickness, caused by the deadly tse-tse fly.”
1909
This postcard is part of a series of sixteen postcards illustrating Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting trip in Africa. This postcard is titled “Roosevelt Ready for Big Game” and the photo was taken by Warrington Dawson. Roosevelt is on his horse, Tranquility, holding a hunting rifle. One man stands next to Roosevelt and two others can be seen at the edge of the image. The reverse is divided for correspondence and address, and includes the following text:
ROOSEVELT ON “TRANQUILITY.” — Mounted on his horse “Tranquility,” his repeating rifle in his hand, Col. Roosevelt is ready to start off for a day’s shooting. Before firing, he will dismount to get a perfect aim, for he never pulls the trigger until he is sure that he has covered his quarry, and the more dangerous the animal the more deliberate he will be. Meanwhile, “Tranquility,” his horse, will remain quietly near him, not requiring to be held or tied.
Postcard featuring Theodore Roosevelt wearing African attire holding both a big stick and a dead lion. The backdrop of his chair features a scene of a giraffe at the top and an American flag on the bottom. The pedestal holding the lion contains the caption “Bwana Tumbo The Lucky Chief” with swastikas on each side.
1909
Postcard featuring illustration of Colonel Roosevelt charged by an African bull elephant. Katherine Swartzlander writes to eight-year-old nephew Erdman J. Allen about the street fair and an upcoming parade in Omaha, Nebraska.
1908-09-25
After his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt took part in a safari through parts of eastern and central Africa, funded and organized by the Smithsonian Institution. In this film, Roosevelt and members of his party appear in different locations, all probably in the vicinity of Mt. Kenya, British East Africa (Kenya), in 1909. There are views of Kikuyu and/or Masai ritual dances, shots of Roosevelt and party with tribesmen, campsite porters busy at work, and Roosevelt on horseback. The film also contains several views of what is probably part of the large Kikuyu dance performed in Roosevelt’s honor at Nyeri in August, with a small number of Masai also participating. There is a view of large number of what may be Masai women ceremonially forming circle, through which men with shields pass.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1909
Kermit Roosevelt describes his travels in Africa. He has hunted giraffe, lion, and cheetah. There have been issues with smallpox, particularly among their native guides.
1910-02-05
Kermit Roosevelt describes hunting a leopard and hippopotamus. Theodore Roosevelt is doing very well.
1909-06-21
Theodore Roosevelt is sending Robert Harry Munro Ferguson a memento of his African trip made from rhinoceros hide. He suggests that Isabella Ferguson could use it as a card case. Roosevelt wishes he could see Ferguson and is dreading an upcoming trip.
Arizona Historical Society
1911-02-02
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Robert Harry Munro Ferguson for the letter, which was Roosevelt’s first mail in seven weeks. He is glad Ferguson enjoyed the articles. Roosevelt praises Kermit Roosevelt and says Kermit reminds him of Ferguson.The safari is coming to an end and Roosevelt has missed his family.
Arizona Historical Society
1910-02-01
Theodore Roosevelt discusses travel and hunting plans for the summer. He may be delayed if Congress holds an extra session.
Arizona Historical Society
1889-1895
An unpublished excerpt from The Birch Bark Roll on hunting big game.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-11
John Burroughs is sorry to have troubled President Roosevelt about the Justice of the Peace matter. Burroughs is delighted that Roosevelt will be dedicating his book to him and knows it will be a “solid contribution to natural history.” Burroughs has some forthcoming articles which he would be glad to hear Roosevelt’s opinions of, and his own book is almost ready to be sent to the publisher.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-05-22
Newspaper article with a positive review of The Deer Family, which features five chapters written by President Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s comments on big game hunting as preparation for service in the military is highlighted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902
Many wild animals in a jungle setting, several wearing bandages, look at a lone footprint in the sand and wonder if Theodore Roosevelt has finally departed, leaving them safe from his big game pursuits.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1910-03-16