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Materials related to the Grand Baby Show including a partial list of the offered prizes, a flyer listing the event’s information and class list, and a contestant entry ticket.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-28
In this English translation of an article from the Danish newspaper Politiken, the publication announces the winner of their contest to translate United States minister Maurice Francis Egan’s sonnet. Several competitors receive honorable mentions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-15
Dr. Pope encloses a manuscript for the attention of Representative Greenway. He is concerned that the manuscript was not read by the full Mount Rushmore inscription contest committee. He questions the fairness of the committee’s final choice of text.
1935-04-22
Representative Greenway acknowledges receipt of “Epos of the United States of America” in connection with the Mount Rushmore National Monument Inscription Competition. The document will be forwarded to the proper source.
1934-06-11
Superintendent Taylor reviews the rules, judging, and awards for the Mount Rushmore inscription contest.
1934-03-22
Uncle Sam, with a feather in his hat labeled “Victory,” holds America’s Cup labeled “Yachting Champion,” a cricket bat labeled “Cricket Champion,” and a medal labeled “Athletic Champion.” Other awards labeled “Chess Champion, Bicycle Champion, [and] Boxing Champion” are pinned to his coat, and a paper extends from his pocket labeled “Fastest R.R. Time.” He is standing on a beach next to a dejected John Bull who is holding a doll labeled “Dunraven,” a reference to the 4th Earl of Dunraven, Windham Thomas Wyndham-Quin, a co-owner of the Valkyrie II and Valkyrie III yachts that competed for the America’s Cup. Caption: Uncle Sam–Say, John, is there any game you can beat me at? – If there is, trot it out!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1895-10-09
Uncle Sam sits back in a chair on the beach next to America’s Cup festooned with laurel branches and the names of American yachts and the year they won the Cup, “America 1851, Magic 1870, Columbia 1871, Sappho 1874, Madeleine 1876, Mischief 1881, Puritan 1885, Mayflower 1886, Volunte[er] 1887, [and] Vigilant 1893.” There is a telescope on the ground beside him. A British sailor, wearing a hat with ribbon labeled “Valkyrie III,” is standing before Uncle Sam, looking at the Cup. Caption: Uncle Sam–Wa-al, old feller, you’ve got another chance to look at it, anyhow, even if you can’t win it!
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1895-09-04
Uncle Sam shakes hands with John Bull who is holding a yacht labeled “Valkyrie.” Between them is the America’s Cup on a pedestal labeled with the names of American yachts and the year they won the Cup, “America 1851, Magic 1870, Columbia 1871, Sappho 1871 [i.e. 1874], Madeleine 1876, Mischief 1881, Puritan 1885, Mayflower 1886, [and] Volu[nteer] 1887.” A ribbon labeled “Vigilant 1893” is tied to the Cup. In the background is a building with a banner that states “Finishing School for Incomplete Yachtsmen.”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1893-10-25
In a shooting match between France and Germany, a white bird labeled “Peace” has just been released from a trap labeled “Moroccan Situation” and the contestants are each waiting for the other to shoot first. Gathered around the shooting platform are rulers from European and Asian countries, including Uncle Sam, Edward VII, King of Great Britain, and Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia. Caption: If either one of them shoots, it is all off with the bird. Hunting and Shooting Number.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1911-10-04
Vignette cartoon with a central image showing President Roosevelt sitting with Russian, Japanese, and possibly Chinese figures at his summer retreat at Oyster Bay; his personal secretary, William Loeb, is serving drinks. The vignette scenes suggest that the Russo-Japanese war, and the control of Manchuria and Vladivostok, be decided by competitions between the Russian leaders and those of Japan and China, such as a swimming race, a wood-chopping contest, a tennis match, and a contest of telling the tallest fish story.
Puck cartoonists L. M. Glackens and S. D. Ehrhart joined forces to draw the magazine’s semi-regular centerspread genre cartoon commenting on current events, this page on the upcoming negotiations to end the Russo-Japanese War. There was one month to go before commencement of talks. Approximately two months after this cartoon’s publication, a Treaty of Peace was signed.
The cartoonists had innocent fun, suggesting feats of strength and skill to settle the conflict, dismissing the bloody and exhaustive carnage in the Far East, and ignoring what was at stake with the United States — President Roosevelt’s personal prestige, and America’s potential role as a world power.
Writing to William L. Ward, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt praises Harold L. Leupp and vouches for Leupp for a new appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-06-08
Daniel Taylor thanks Theodore Roosevelt for sending an autographed photo to be awarded in a local baby contest, noting it was greatly appreciated by the winners and admired by the community in Terre Haute.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-09
Henry A. Pershing asks Theodore Roosevelt to write a letter to William Grimm commending his efforts to recite 500 Bible verses before a committee to win a Bible.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-15
E. N. Rich asks Theodore Roosevelt to read the story they wrote for a contest and write a brief note on it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-21
Rosa B. Gilmore has heard that Theodore Roosevelt had offered an award to any woman who had seven sons straight without any daughters, and wishes to report that she has done this. She has written several times previously but not heard anything back, and asks if Roosevelt is not involved in this that he let her know who is offering the prize instead so that she can contact them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-20
Howard J. Blue’s parents write to Theodore Roosevelt to ask him if he would be willing to buy a newspaper subscription to help their son win a Shetland pony.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-03-07
Jeanette M. Johnson and Theodore M. Johnson have a very large young son, and have heard there is a prize for the largest baby in the world. They wish to know if Theodore Roosevelt is associated with this prize, or knows who they should contact about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-27
William H. Taft introduces John Donovan, president of the Army Tournament Association, to President Roosevelt. Taft explains that he cannot attend the tournament Donovan is organizing because he must stay in Ohio but encourages Roosevelt to attend as Commander-in-Chief.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-12