Women's clothing

A.D. 1915 – with Puck’s apologies to the “coming woman”

A shabbily dressed woman addresses a man who is wearing an apron, holding an infant, and standing at the front door of his home. In the background, a dog with its tail between its legs enters a doghouse to hide. Caption: Dusty Maude–Is dere any lady-folks about de house? Timid Househusband–No-o – no, ma’am; they have all gone to a primary meeting. Dusty Maude–Den set out de best dere is in de pantry, an’ don’t do any screamin’, or I’ll clip yer whiskers!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-03-06

Overdoing things – the tendency of the day

This vignette cartoon depicts the tendency of Americans to overdo everything, such as hosting “large receptions in small houses,” women’s fashions and their “elevation and advancement idea,” “Arctic exploration,” the “forcing process with our children’s educations,” and the “Bicycle Boom.” Caption: A few random examples of the general tendency towards overdoing things, viz.: overdone fashions, overdone county fair exhibits, overdone high buildings, overdone Sunday editions, etc., etc.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1896-01-15

We are getting there fast

A young woman wearing bloomers says good night to a young man at the front door. The young man’s mother, also wearing bloomers and holding a newspaper or magazine called “The Advanced Woman,” has come down the stairs to ask when the young woman will be leaving. Caption: Stern Parent–Willy, isn’t that Miss Bloomers going soon? – it’s nearly eleven o’clock! / Son–Yes, Mama; she’s just saying good night!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-12-25

1895 Puck Christmas

Puck holds mistletoe over the head of a young woman who is reading a magazine or newspaper.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-12-04

The phœnix-like “summer girl”

A female figure with wings rises from the flames of summer romances that are burning out as the season comes to an end. She leaves behind many broken-hearted men on the beach at a summer resort. Caption: She rises gayly from the ashes of her season’s conquests, to continue her deadly work as the “Winter Girl” of the near future.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-09-18

The two old parties have no use for her

An old woman with a broom labeled “Spoils System” evicts from the “Democratic Home” a young woman labeled “Civil Service Reform” carrying a bag labeled “Civil Service Laws.” On the street are Benjamin Harrison, Whitelaw Reid, and Thomas B. Reed, laughing. In the background, on the left, is the “Republican Home” with an old woman labeled “G.O.P.” looking out the window. A large padlock labeled “Spoils System” bars the gate. On the right is the “Mugwump Home” where a woman is standing with open arms to welcome the young woman labeled “Civil Service Reform.” Caption: But she will always find a hearty welcome and kind treatment at the old reliable independent home.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-06-20

The dear creatures

An old woman sits on a bench, holding a purse labeled “G.O.P.,” with Benjamin Harrison on the left and William McKinley on the right, vying for her attentions. Caption: Old Party (coyly)–Oh! you presidential aspirants are such flirts!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-06-13

A squelcher for woman suffrage

A woman is denied the opportunity to vote because she is wearing a dress and a hat that are too wide for the narrow booths labeled, “Ballots must be prepared in these booths.” A policeman is standing on the left, and, in the background, election officials are standing over the ballot box for “Election District No. 13.” Caption: How can she vote, when the fashions are so wide, and the voting booths are so narrow?

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-06-06

“Love me, love my dog”

Uncle Sam sits on a bench with a young woman wearing a coat labeled “Wilson Bill” and a hat labeled “Tariff Reform.” She is holding a bull dog on her lap that is wearing a collar labeled “Income Tax.” Caption: Uncle Sam–Well, you’re a nice girl, but I don’t keer fer yer pet!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-05-16

A happy family

An old woman labeled “G.O.P.” sits on a throne with her arms around two men labeled “Monopolist” and “Fraudulent Pension Grabber” who are winking at the viewer. Caption: Mrs. G.O.P. – “These are my jewels!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-04-25

Xmas number 1894

Two young women ice skate and tow a sleigh in which Puck is riding, holding a Christmas tree.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-12-05

The fin de siècle movement reaches the back country

A fashionably dressed young woman dances before a small gathering at a country dance, where one old man, in particular, is mesmerized by her appearance and seems to be making a fool out of himself before the others who look on with chagrin.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-12-06

X-mas 1893

Puck sits on a sofa next to a young woman. They are holding a book labeled “Christmas Carol” and singing.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-12-06

Wed!

The Tammany Tiger, with a shamrock on his hat, hugs a woman labeled “New York City” atop a bridge support tower with a view of the Statue of Liberty in the background. Caption: “Does oo love oo Tigy-Wigy?”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1893-11-01

Silly old women! – their little brooms can’t sweep back the great big ocean

Several men dressed as maids and holding brooms stand on shore or awash in huge waves labeled “Business Revival” and “Sound Money.” The men are identified on their bonnets or on their brooms as “Hoar War Tariff,” “Bland Free Silver,” “Wolcott Silver,” “Teller Free Silver,” “Jones Free Silver,” “Reid High Protection,” “Stewart Free Silver,” “Carter,” “Peffer,” “Crisp,” and “Blackburn Free Silver.” “McKinley” holds the largest broom labeled “Prohibitory Protection.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-08-14

Cause and effect

A well-dressed, imperious woman is seated in a chair, with her feet on a cushion, holding a scepter and a paper that states, “Fashion’s Decrees for Summer Resorts.” Among the rules are the following: “Ladies must wear at least three costumes a day,” and “Good form requires every lady to have a maid and every gentleman a valet.” After listing the rules, it ends with “Style First, Comfort Afterwards.” On the left are idle workers at an empty “American Summer Hotel,” and on the right, crowds of travelers pass through terminals to board steamships headed “To Europe.” Caption: Dame fashion’s foolish and expensive rules are responsible for the increasing exodus to Europe and the empty summer hotels in America.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1895-07-17

Puck Easter

Puck holds a mirror for a fashionably dressed young woman trying on an Easter bonnet. They are standing among several hat boxes, some showing bonnets.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-04-13

Three happy old friends – hurrah for the thousandth number!

Puck dances with two elderly women labeled “Republican Party” and “Democratic Party.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1896-05-06

A look ahead; – but not so very far ahead, either!

An Irish American woman labeled “Walking Delegate” displays the “By-Laws of the Help Lady’s Union” during a dinner party hosted by an elderly woman sitting at a table with her guests. Women domestics are seen removing their aprons, as a man in the background orders the “Walking Delegate” to leave.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1899-02-08

One of the causes

Uncle Sam and John Bull ice skate with a young woman labeled “American Girl” between them.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1898-12-28