political cartoons

Buonaparte at Rome giving audience in state / I.Ck., British Cartoon P...

Cartoon shows Napoleon, wearing tattered clothing, seated on a low throne; kneeling before him is a pope placing the keys of St. Peter at his feet as he kicks the crown off the popes head, saying "I say remembe... More

An escape a la Francois! - Public domain dedication image

"A burlesque representation of the flight to Varennes; the royal family in a two-wheeled carriage drawn (left to right) by four galloping horses with two postilions..." (Source: George)

Treason!!! / designed & etch'd by Rd. Newton., British Cartoon Print

A stout, smiling John Bull directs a blast from his rear-end toward a poster of King George III tacked to a wall. The image of the king looks suprised. On the left, the head of William Pitt exclaims, "That is T... More

Et l'on revient toujours A ses premiers amours.

Cartoon showing Napoleon I stepping down from throne into a marsh filled with frogs; in his left hand he holds a long pike with a liberty cap on top at which he is looking. DeVinck, 9541 Purchase; S. Emmering; ... More

United States slave trade, 1830 - Public domain engraving

An abolitionist print possibly engraved in 1830, but undocumented aside from the letterpress text which appears on an accompanying sheet. The text reads: "United States' slave trade, 1830. The Copper Plate from... More

McLean's Monthly Sheet of Caricatures No. 19 or The Looking Glass

Sheet of 7 political cartoons by Seymour. See: British Museum Department of Prints and Drawings Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires, v. 11, p. 500 to 502 (catalogue entry nos. 16720-16726). This record ... More

Grand match between the Kinderhook poney and the Ohio ploughman

A satire on the presidential contest of 1836, using the metaphor of a billiards game between Whig candidate William Henry Harrison (left) and Democrat Martin Van Buren. The artist is clearly on the side of Harr... More

Machines for the new pay-tent office

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1838, by H.R. Robinson, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. Printed & published by H.R. Rob... More

Animal magnetism - A cartoon of a man sitting in a chair talking to an...

A swipe at President Van Buren's independent treasury system and his continuation of the monetary policies of predecessor Andrew Jackson. The artist, clearly in sympathy with the Whigs, links corruption in the ... More

Matty taking his second bath in Salt River

A satire published before the Democratic convention, predicting would-be presidential nominee Martin Van Buren's second "bath in Salt River" (the first one being his unsuccessful bid for reelection in 1840). O... More

Political cock fighters. Book illustration from Library of Congress

A figurative portrayal of the 1844 presidential contest as a cock-fight, in which Whig candidate Henry Clay prevails. Clay and Democratic opponent Polk battle in a pit or ring as several prominent political fi... More

Ultimatum on the Oregon question, Political Cartoon

In his typically jingoist view of Polk's handling of the Oregon question, the artist Edward Williams Clay belittles the self-interested attitudes of Europe toward the dispute. The issue of whether to settle the... More

Political guillotine. Book illustration from Library of Congress

A cryptic satire critical of Lewis Cass and incumbent President James K. Polk. The work probably appeared prior to the Whig national convention (June 9-10), since reference is made to a Clay-Fillmore ticket. (T... More

Jason et medée. Ballet tragique, British Cartoon Print

"Gaetan Vestris as Jason between two ladies of the ballet..." (Source: George) [N. Dance?, del. ; Bartolozzi, sc.]. This record contains unverified data from George. Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires ... More

The rival queens or a political heat for Rege & Grege, British Cartoon...

An encounter between two stout ladies, Mrs. Fitzherbert and Mrs. Schwellenberg, each with a second: the Prince of Wales, his hands on his lady's waist, and Pitt holding out a lemon to the furious German woman, ... More

The late auction at St. Eustatia - by R-- & V--

Print shows the interior of an auction house where Admiral Rodney and General John Vaughan are disposing property seized from citizens on the island of Saint Eustatius which the British captured from the Dutch.

The American moose-deer, or Away to the River Ohio, British Cartoon Pr...

"An engraving showing an American moose-deer surrounded by kings, and standing on the banks of the "Ohio"..." (Source: Stephens) This record contains unverified data from Stephens. Catalogue of prints and drawi... More

Eclipse & no eclipse or two views of one object

Two scenes showing the differing perceptions of Franklin Pierce's stand on the issue of slavery, as viewed by the North and South. The cartoon is divided vertically by "Mason & Dixon's Line." An arrow identifie... More

The election - Drawing. Public domain image.

Two cartoons showing politicians trying to buy votes. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, v. 1, 1857 Nov. 7, p. 713.

Little Mack and his party "going up" Salt River on a gunboat. Terrific...

Public domain image related to President Abraham Lincoln, gelatin silver print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Union and liberty! And union and slavery!

An anti-McClellan broadside, contrasting Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln's advocacy of equality and free labor in the North to Democratic opponent McClellan's alleged support of the Southern slave system. ... More

[Jefferson Davis's attempted escape in woman's clothes with a knife in...

Public domain image related to President Abraham Lincoln, gelatin silver print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Full page of advertisements and a political cartoon "Preparing for th...

"Time works wonders." Iago. (Jeff Davis) "For that I do suspect the lu...

Cartoon showing Jefferson Davis looking over his shoulder at Hiram Revels seated in the United States Senate. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, 1870 April 9, p. 232.

Out of the Ruins / Th. Nast.. 19th century, Library of Congress collec...

Cartoon showing Pres. Grant helping female personification of America out of the wreckage of Wall Street, saying "I am glad to see that you are not seriously hurt. The houses in this 'Street' have been shaky an... More

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, 19th centu...

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions

This is not the New York Stock Exchange, it is the patronage exchange,...

Senators holding papers "patronage," "sold out," and "New York quotations," with T.C. Platt handcuffed to man on left, who is handing "orders of the boss" to Chester Arthur. Illus. in: Puck, v. 9, 1881 April 13... More

Our Indian policy--a house of cards / J. Keppler.

Cartoon showing Uncle Sam seated at table with cards labelled "Indian policy," which had been stacked up, being blown down by white men as Indians look on. Illus. in: Puck, 1881, Sept. 14, p. 24-25.

"Sic 'em!" / J. Keppler. - Drawing. Public domain image.

Print shows Charles Stewart Parnell, a prisoner in the "Kilmainham Kaboose", directing a pack of small dogs labeled "Healy, Kettle, Egan, O'Connor, Dillon, Davitt, Sexton, [and] Brennan" to attack the British L... More

[England's nightmare. The Great Britain Gulliver overpowered and made...

The British lion as Gulliver, tied down by Lilliputian troops of French soldiers. Several members of the troops try to pull a moneybag from the lion's pocket. The lion laughs. Reinforcements from France arri... More

Gambling with death / Gillam. - Political cartoon, public domain image

Illustration shows, at center, a capitalist, sitting on money bags labeled "Insurance Money" and leaning against several papers labeled "New Policy", gambling with the Grim Reaper, while all around them disaste... More

The national dime-museum - will be run during the presidential campaig...

Illustration shows a gallery of presidential candidates, clockwise, from bottom left: John Kelly as a card-playing pig, Chester A. Arthur as "The Snake Charmer" charming a snake labeled "Stalwart Vote" with a h... More

A desperate attempt to solve the Mormon question / Mayer, Merkel & Ott...

Composite of four caricatures on Mormonism by Gillam, Keppler, Opper, and Graetz. Illus. in: Puck, 1884, Feb. 13, pp. 376-377.

Puck's plan to relieve the country of two embarrassments - give Grant ...

Illustration shows Ulysses S. Grant as a king sitting on a throne, surrounded by his courtiers, identified as Rev. J.P. Newman, Henry Ward Beecher, Roscoe Conkling, Jay Gould, George W. Childs, William Belknap,... More

Good men on a bad platform / Zimmerman.

Illustration shows three men labeled "Wadsworth, Davenport, [and] Genl. Carr" hanging onto each other, standing on "The One Solid Plank" labeled "Financial & Civil-Service-Reform Resolutions" of a shaky platfor... More

Gulliver-Cleveland takes possession of the enemy's fleet and deprives ...

Illustration shows President Cleveland as Gulliver with a rope labeled "Good Policy" tied to the ships of the "Republican Party" and pulling them toward the opposite shore where a group of men, among them Ambas... More

This is what the "freedom of worship" bill means - can we hold the evi...

Illustration shows a female figure with a shield labeled "Tolerance" and a sword labeled "Knowledge", using a cord labeled "Equality" to hold back a large snake labeled "Freedom Worship Bill" that has ensnared ... More

Muzzling the press - Drawing. Public domain image.

Benjamin Harrison with muzzles on various news men who are key members of his administration. Lithograph by Charles Jay Taylor. Illus. in: Puck, 1889. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card... More

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, 19th centu...

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions

Restoring "prosperity" / Keppler, Jr., Political Cartoon

Print shows President Cleveland and five men using "Sound Policy Cement" to repair a statue labeled "Nat. Prosperity". Shown with Cleveland are John G. Carlisle, William L. Wilson, Daniel W. Voorhees, Charles T... More

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, 19th centu...

Picryl description: Public domain image, drawing, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions

Uncle Sam's dream of conquest and carnage - caused by reading the Jing...

Print shows Uncle Sam asleep in a chair with a large eagle perched on a stand next to him; he is dreaming of conquests and annexations, asserting his "Monroe Doctrine" rights, becoming master of the seas, putti... More

Puck magazine cover - Puck Christmas 1896 / C.J. Taylor.

Print shows Santa Claus holding a tankard and sitting on a large chair with Puck, holding the "Christmas Number", sitting next to him; their feet rest on a sack of toys. Illus. from Puck, v. 40, no. 1031, (189... More

In East Capitol Park - Drawing. Public domain image.

Picryl description: Public domain photo of Chinese sculpture, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

The quarrelsome European nursery / Dalrymple., Political Cartoon

Print shows a large group of children in a nursery fighting amongst themselves, they are labeled "England" and "Russia", "Austria" and "Italy", "Greece" and "Turkey", "France" and "Germany" fighting over a chil... More

The keepers at the gate / Keppler.

Print shows a farmer on "Prosperity Road" stopped at a gate labeled "Dingley Tariff", standing in his wagon, handing a heavy bag labeled "Toll" to a well-dressed bloated man labeled "Monopoly" sitting on a larg... More

Wrapped up in his pet idea / Dalrymple.

Print shows President McKinley wearing a long cape labeled "Protection Monomania", sitting at a desk working on his "Tariff Plans", while ignoring a businessman who offers "Suggestions for Financial Reform"; in... More

The survival of the fittest / Keppler.

Print shows a scene at dueling grounds in a wooded area where a duel has taken place between a tattered buccaneer labeled "Spain" and "Medievalism" and Uncle Sam who is holding a sword labeled "19th century Enl... More

The sphinx of the period / Keppler.

Print shows Puck standing on wooden scaffolding in front of the bow of a huge new battleship in drydock with a large sphinx on the deck between the big guns. Illus. from Puck, v. 43, no. 1103, (1898 April 27),... More

Brains are mightier than the sword - a fairy story / F.M. Howarth.

Print shows a series of 12 panels relating a story about a dragon that is terrorizing a kingdom. The king issues a "proclamation" offering half his kingdom and his daughter's hand in marriage to any of his knig... More

In the path of the privateer / K.

Print shows a female figure labeled "Spirit of the 19th Century" rising out of the water to halt a small gunboat flying a Spanish flag labeled "Privateer" with a Spanish buccaneer aboard. Illus. from Puck, v. ... More

A trifle embarrassed / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Print shows Uncle Sam and Columbia standing at the entrance to the "U.S. Foundling Asylum" as a basket of crying children labeled "Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hawaii, [and] Philippine" is presented to them by arms label... More

A puzzle for the Populists / Keppler.

Print shows John Jacob Astor wearing a military uniform and carrying a flag that states "On to Manila. Astor's Mountain Battery" and a sword, and holding the reins to many mules carrying cannon barrels, as he l... More

Puck magazine cover - A tempting opportunity / Keppler.

Print shows the British Lion attempting to put out the flames of a campfire labeled "South African War"; in the background are two figures labeled "Russia" and "France", holding large pincers, who are pondering... More

"Busted!" / J.S. Pughe. Joseph Pulitzer, Political Cartoon

Print shows William Jennings Bryan carrying a "Cross of Gold", a "Crown of Thorns", and a carpetbag labeled "W.J.B. Speeches" as he walks along railroad tracks headed in the opposite direction of Washington, D.... More

Ready for business / J.S. Pughe., Political Cartoon

Print shows a scene in a courtroom with a Chinese man labeled "Chinese Question" sitting in a chair in front of three men identified as "France", "Germany" (William II), and "Russia". "Judge" John Bull is stand... More

The Greatest department store on earth; -- and every day a bargain day...

Cartoon showing foreign countries buying goods from Uncle Sam. Illus. in: Puck, 1899 Nov. 29. Copyright by Keppler & Swartzmann.

Declined with thanks / J.S. Pughe. Joseph Pulitzer

Cartoon showing Uncle Sam as a large, fat man, anti-expansionists saying, "Here, take a dose of this anti-fat and get thin again!" Uncle Sam replies, "No, Sonny! I never did take any of that stuff, and I'm too... More

The crabbed millionaire's puzzle / J.S. Pughe.

Illustration shows an old man labeled "Millionaire" sitting in a chair atop a pile of moneybags, bemoaning the fact that he now has little time to give away his money in a satisfactory manner; on the left are t... More

The next candidate for statehood / O'Neill.

Illustration shows Columbia handing a dress labeled "Statehood" to a young woman labeled "New Mexico." Illus. in: Puck, v. 50, no. 1294 (1901 December 18), cover. Copyright 1901 by Keppler & Schwarzmann.

A suggestion to the Buffalo Exposition; - Let us have a chamber of fem...

Illustration shows Uncle Sam and John Bull leading a group of world leaders walking in the center aisle between an exhibit of women suffragettes on pedestals; among the figures are "Mrs. Faith Healer," "Woman E... More

Superstition has always ruled the world / Ehrhart.

Illustration shows a central figure of a wizard holding the strings to a wooden jumping toy shaped like a globe with a head, arms and legs; he is surrounded by vignettes with captions: "An early fake," "The Mil... More

Commercial might versus divine right / Keppler.

Illustration shows a huge J.P. Morgan carrying a cornucopia filled with railroads, ships, telegraph lines, and steel rails as examples of the broad range of industry he controls; as he strides forward, the Germ... More

[The uplifting of Cuba] - Political cartoon, public domain image

Cartoon shows Republican House Majority Leader Sereno Payne and Republican Congressmen Robert Morris, Francis Griffith Newlands, Henry Allen Cooper, and James Albertus Tawney pulling on a rope to lift a bucket ... More

Puck magazine cover - A revelation in revolutions / Kep.

Illustration shows Uncle Sam with a bundle of papers labeled "Canal Plans" patting a diminutive man, wearing a hat labeled "Panama", on the shoulder. The man smiles broadly and is leaning on a large sword. Cana... More

More rough riding / J.S. Pughe., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows President Theodore Roosevelt as a "Rough Rider" carrying a pike labeled "Fearlessness" and riding an elephant labeled "Administration"; he has chased many men labeled "Dishonest Official" and... More

The vacant plate / J.S. Pughe. - Drawing. Public domain image.

Illustration shows the British Lion, the Russian Bear, a cat labeled Austria, and three dogs labeled "France, Italy, [and] Germany" gathered around a table for Thanksgiving dinner. The British Lion is holding a... More

Putting the screws on him / Keppler.

Illustration shows George B. Cortelyou turning a vice to squeeze money for Theodore Roosevelt's campaign from a bloated man labeled "The Trusts". Illus. in: Puck, v. 56, no. 1444 (1904 November 2), cover. Copy... More

Puck Thanksgiving 1904 / L.M. Glackens., Puck magazine cover

Illustration shows a young woman with a shotgun over her left shoulder and carrying a dead turkey. Illus. in: Puck, v. 56, no. 1447 (1904 November 23), cover. Copyright 1904 by Keppler & Schwarzmann.

Mr. Sisyphus Cortelyou rolling it up / Keppler.

Illustration shows George Cortelyou, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, as Sisyphus rolling a large boulder labeled "Majority for Roosevelt" up a steep hill. Illus. in: Puck, v. 56, no. 1437 (1904 ... More

"Take your choice, gentlemen" / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows Puck standing on a ballot box between President Theodore Roosevelt, who has one foot on the "Constitution", is waving a sword labeled "Militarism" in a threatening manner above his head, and ... More

Caricature, Left again / Kep., public domain cartoon image

Illustration shows an elderly woman labeled "Tariff Revision" angrily shaking her umbrella after being left standing on the railroad station platform as the "Republican Special" departs in a cloud of dust; two ... More

Mr. Orpheus of Boston / Kep. - Drawing. Public domain image.

Illustration shows Thomas W. Lawson, as Orpheus, playing a lyre while sitting beneath a tree on a hillside in a pastoral setting, in the foreground are William A. Rockefeller, James R. Keene, J. Edward Addicks,... More

A voice from the past / Frank A. Nankivell.

Illustration shows the ghost of Louis XVI of France warning Nicholas II of Russia to not make a hasty decision regarding the imprisoned writer Maxim Gorky and to heed the "Petition" and impassioned pleas for hi... More

Declaring a dividend / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows a band of pirates on a beach, gathered around their booty of treasure chest and bags of gold coins. Among the pirates are John D. Rockefeller and John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Henry H. Rogers, He... More

"Mon Dieu! Are there any more at home like you?" / J.S. Pughe.

Illustration shows rats Richard A. "McCurdy" and his son-in-law Louis A. "Thebaud" swimming ashore, rat James H. "Hyde" has already made it to shore labeled "France" where another rat, Judge "Andy Hamilton" is ... More

The moths and the flame / Frank A. Nankivell.

Illustration shows a candlestick with flame labeled "Speed Madness" and speeding automobiles caught in the illumination with people falling out of the cars and the wreckage collecting in the basin of the candle... More

The haunted house / Art Young. - Political cartoon, public domain imag...

Illustration shows an interior view of a boardroom where the appearance of a ghost labeled "Spirit of Honesty" has frightened the men conducting business there, who are labeled "Corporation Lawyer, Fake Promote... More

Future occupations for Roosevelt / J.S. Pughe.

Illustration shows a vignette cartoon with Theodore Roosevelt, at center, as a rugged "Guide for City Sportsmen", with surrounding scenes showing Roosevelt as a teacher of "Natural History", an "Instructor in t... More

The seeds of socialism / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows a gigantic boar wearing a crown with "$" and a shawl labeled "Plutocratic Greed" and holding the U.S. Capitol dome labeled "Special Privilege", inverted to form a bucket from which it is sowi... More

Puck Christmas 1908 / Gordon Grant., Puck magazine cover

Illustration shows a young woman sitting at her dressing table, holding up a mirror to admire her hair, as a maid arranges plant sprigs in her hair.

The rake's progress / Keppler. - Political cartoon, public domain imag...

Illustration shows a group of men identified as "Land Grafter, Politician, Special Privilege, Timber Grafter, Mineral Grafter, Public Utilities, Corporation Lawyer, [and] Tariff Grafter" sitting around a table ... More

Like a Chinese play, it goes on forever / Frank A. Nankivell.

Illustration shows a Chinese play taking place on a small stage with Joseph G. Cannon and Nelson W. Aldrich offering two small doll-like figures labeled "Small Dealer" and "Consumer" to a dragon labeled "High P... More

The awakening / K. - Drawing. Public domain image.

Illustration shows a "Middle West" farmer being awakened by Albert B. "Cummins" as a rooster while a man sneaks into the farmer's barn and is caught in the illumination of a lantern beam labeled "Tariff Greed".

Puck magazine cover - Puck Christmas 1909 / Gordon Grant.

Illustration shows a Christmas present box filled with beautiful female faces. Illus. in: Puck, v. 66, no. 1709 (1909 December 1), cover. Copyright 1909 by Keppler & Schwarzmann.

Puck magazine cover - The airship craze / L.M. Glackens.

Illustration shows a golf club driving a golf ball that is covered with insects; at the bottom is a ticket booth labeled "Conquest of the Air" where insects can purchase tickets for rides on golf balls. Captio... More

Mating time / Gordon Ross. - Political cartoon, public domain image

Illustration shows a young man and a young woman kissing and their reflection in the full moon in the background, also shows frogs, rabbits, birds, and mushrooms as couples, and two trees as silhouettes of a yo... More

Christmas Puck / Gordon Ross. - Public domain dedication image

Illustration shows a beautiful young woman wearing a large red and green hat, standing among mistletoe, in the snow; in a frame with elves on each side at the base. Illus. in: Puck, v. 68, no. 1762 (1910 Decem... More

The walls of Jericho / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows supporters of a "Square Tariff Deal", carried in an ark by "Folk, Clark, Gore, Harmon, [and] Beveridge", march on Jericho, blowing ram-horns labeled "The Voice of the People" causing the wall... More

And the prize is death / Albert Levering.

Illustration shows a macabre figure of the Roman god Mercury labeled "Speed Mania" leading automobile drivers speeding along country roads in an automobile race; they are being cheered by crowds even while havi... More

Caricature, A trip to Diana / Glackens., public domain cartoon image

Illustration shows a man in a "Taxiplane" hanging onto the coattails of a well-dressed man wearing a top hat who has leaped from the taxi to grab ahold of a nude statue of Diana atop a building. Caption: Popul... More

The interrupted ceremony / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows a wedding between Uncle Sam and a woman labeled "Canada" with President Taft as the clergyman; when he gets to the point in the ceremony where anyone who objects to the marriage may speak, al... More

Luxuries versus lifeboats / Kep., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows an ocean liner sinking amid icebergs with many passengers jumping into the sea for lack of enough lifeboats, as a few lifeboats loaded with passengers row clear of the ship. Caption: The Gri... More

On Uncle Sam's farm / Keppler. - Political cartoon, public domain imag...

Illustration shows Woodrow Wilson as a farm-hand on Uncle Sam's farm, driving a horse team labeled "Democratic Senate" and "Democratic House" toward a plow labeled "Tariff Reform Pledges"; Uncle Sam is leaning ... More

Puck magazine cover - Getting his bumps / L.M. Glackens.

Illustration shows a baseball player sitting on one end of a seesaw labeled "1912" and a man labeled "The Politician" being bounced around on the other end, causing him to lose his top hat and papers; standing ... More

Good political economy - Drawing. Public domain image.

Public domain photograph related to President William Howard Taft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Cartoon. - Drawing. Public domain image., Political Cartoon

Public domain photograph related to child labor, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The queen of hearts / painted by Walter Dean Godlbeck.

Illustration shows a playing card for the Queen of Hearts with the face of a woman, possibly Evelyn Nesbit Thaw, who is holding in her hands a man wearing a tuxedo and top hat. Illus. in: Puck, v. 75, no. 1934... More

The seat of war in America / Raymond Crawford Ewer sketches from life ...

Illustration shows a vignette cartoon with a scene in the grandstands during the world series at center; vignettes show baseball fans watching a game, eating hot dogs, and baseball players showing the different... More

Red or black? / Hy Mayer ; by Hy Mayer.

Illustration shows a man leaning on his elbows on a table with stacks of coins and a roulette wheel; a red demon is on the left and a black demon is on the right. Illus. in: Puck, v. 76, no. 1958 (1914 Septemb... More