Interpersonal relations

At center, a young man sits with his mannequin spouse labeled “Farmer’s Daughter,” looking at pictures in the “Family Album.” Surrounding vignettes show the man in training for the annual city-dweller’s summer vacation to the country. Caption: The wise young man goes in training now.

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Comments and Context

With the advent of spring, Puck takes an early vacation from cartoons about railroad rates, muckrakers, and insurance scandals (the momentous New York State investigations and report were winding up at this time) with a humor-only, no-politics genre cartoons about the vicissitudes of an urbanite’s Summer retreat to rural resorts.

A high society auction is being conducted in a circus-like atmosphere where spouses are unloading their unwanted partners for various reasons to the highest bidder. On the left, a lecherous old man, wearing top hat and tails, is peering at a young woman and her daughter. The woman wears a leash which is held by her smug, well-dressed owner. On the right, in a small crowd, a man appears to be offering a bid. Other commodities are available for inspection in little stalls in the background. Caption: The matrimonial mart.

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Comments and Context

For almost two decades, Puck had been a magazine of politics, commentary, humor, cartoons, and reform. But in the very first week of 1905, it transformed into a journal that embraced elements of radicalism; perhaps not revolution, but radical reform prescriptions for the American body politic, and with a sense of urgency.

At center, fashionably dressed women admire a statue of a horse. Surrounding vignettes show women’s fashions, contrasting an automobile to a horse, the latest in horse fashions, and a horse-owner’s nightmare about failing to win a ribbon. Caption: Fashion’s shrine – horse show week.

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Comments and Context

In the manner of many nominal sporting events before (like America’s Cup competitions) and since, New York’s annual horse show by 1904 had became a place to see and be seen. High-society luminaries — the “400” — communed, competed for attention, and attracted the press and the curious.

A labor union “Walking Delegate” with one hand pulls money from the pocket of a diminutive figure labeled “Employer” and with the other hand pulls money from the pocket of another diminutive figure labeled “Working Man.”

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Comments and Context

This cartoon is one many that Puck published criticizing “Walking Delegates,” the title given to union organizers, labor representatives, negotiators, and, sometimes, advocates of strikes and everything in between. Their roles in the rise of organized labor in America are therefore varied.

A young woman is accompanied by an elderly matron as they depart a summer resort for the return trip to the city for the winter social season. Included is a brief verse by Arthur H. Folwell describing the scene.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The poem by Puck‘s editor Arthur H. Folwell illustrates the contemporary theme, repeated in countless cartoons and humorous observations of the day, of the “Summer Girl” taking to summer resorts, not so much to exercise or relax, but to seek romance and husbands. Even as she leaves the resort, Ehrhart’s “summer girl” (his pretty girls were Puck‘s counterparts to Life Magazine’s Gibson Girls) reflexively reveals petticoats and an ankle, which was relatively daring in 1902.

Two young women, holding golf clubs, discuss one’s relationship with a male friend in the context of a round of golf, punning on the word “paresis.” Caption: Gladys — Is Ferdy suffering from paresis? / Ethel — Suffering? Dear me, no! Why, he thinks he’s a golf champion!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-04-30

William Loeb requests that another representative be sent in place of Mr. McCoy for the rest of the Presidential trip. The request should not be interpreted to McCoy’s detriment as he is obviously knowledgeable in railroad matters. However, he does not possess the “peculiar qualifications necessary for the conduct of a Presidential tour” and does not get along well with the other members of the party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-21

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks Fred E. Parmly for his letter. He suggests that Parmly begin communication with the Roosevelt Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, to see if they would be able to take advantage of Parmly’s “very kind offer.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-06-10

Theodore Roosevelt has decided that Mr. Humphrey is not to be trusted and will avoid contact with him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-03

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Marshall Stimson for the letter. However, he corrects the assumption about his being nominated in 1912. He expects all of his friends to do everything they can to prevent any movement looking toward his nomination. Roosevelt appreciates Stimson’s concern over some of Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt’s associates, but he “would not be a real man” if he refused to engage with others because of political differences. Indeed most of Roosevelt’s social friends regard him as “a violent and extreme radical.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-27

Theodore Roosevelt apologizes for “bothering” Leslie J. Tarlton, but he is concerned by his most recent letter. He assumes Tarlton is better now and is glad to hear about V. M. Newland. Roosevelt grew attached to Tarlton, Newland, and their wives while in Africa and wants them to be healthy and happy. The news about Carl Ethan Akeley is also concerning, and Roosevelt wishes he would leave Uganda for his health. Working and hunting in Africa is dangerous, as evidenced by the death of George Grey and many other friends.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-25

President Roosevelt is not sure what he can do about the Westinghouse matter that Robert P. Porter wrote him about. He will speak with Secretary of State Elihu Root and Treasury Secretary George B. Cortelyou, but he is hesitant to make a business suggestion to a New York financier. As he does not do special favors for people, he does not want to ask one of anyone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-29

President Roosevelt sends a letter to his cousin, William Emlen Roosevelt. He says that many people believe that the president of William’s company is an “uncommonly difficult person” and constantly changes his mind.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-28

President Roosevelt tells Paul Morton that he has made all of his appointments to the Naval Academy for the indefinite future, but he will try to put “young Carmody” down. He reminds Morton to do his “level best” to keep Theodore P. Shonts, the chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, in good relations with Secretary of War William H. Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-09

President Roosevelt informs Charles Green Bush that it would be a pleasure to hear from him, especially because of their “old association” as fellow delegates at the National Convention.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

President Roosevelt informs Nicholas Murray Butler that Benjamin B. Odell is starting to believe that Butler’s nomination would be the strongest if Elihu Root does not run. He hopes that Butler will accept the nomination and adds that, if Butler were to accept, he would not be able to pay any visits since people will try to associate him with Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-27

Secretary of State Hay is an immense help to President Roosevelt and also a “perpetual delight and comfort.” Roosevelt considers Hay a great Secretary of State. He instructs him to ignore the press articles about their relations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-11

President Roosevelt insists that his feelings towards Herschel V. Jones have not changed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-08

President Roosevelt has a better understanding of the Payne-Wynne dispute and sees both of their viewpoints. He has been enjoying the company of the Jusserands and riding Wyoming, his new horse that is too fond of “trolleys and automobiles.”

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1903-06-25

This vignette cartoon shows men and women in various social situations where politeness overrides one’s actual emotional response, maintaining decorum and preventing a social disaster.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-01-26