vintage images

Puck's political hunting-ground -- how he has made game of the politic...

Illustration shows Puck holding a shotgun over one shoulder and a dead owl in his raised right hand, with him are two hunting dogs labeled "Wit" and "Satire"; he is surrounded by dead animals that have the face... More

Good and bad form illustrated - Public domain drawing

Photo of drawing. (DLC/PP-1934:0123). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Once a week, 7:9 (Oct. 13, 1891).

A hint from the world's fair - why not have a "bureau of public comfor...

Print shows a vignette cartoon with, at center, a place for Republican's to go to commiserate while awaiting the next election with such stalwart Republicans as George F. Edmunds, John Sherman, William M. Evart... More

Caricature, A sufficient reason / Ehrhart., public domain cartoon imag...

Print shows two governesses, each with a child, in the park; one woman is having trouble controlling a little boy who is frightened of a policeman standing in the background. Caption: Miss Dolan Oi'm a-goin' ... More

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

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

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

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

"The Kaisesr's coat" / Ehrhart., Political Cartoon

Print shows William II, the German Emperor, sitting on horseback before an effigy mounted on a pole with a "Notice" that states "All civilians must bow before those who wear the Kaiser's coat"; there are a grou... More

Niagara Falls, gelatin silver print, Panoramic Photograph

5953B2 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; William Herman Rau; January 21, 1896. No. 711.

The nations' holiday feast / C.J. Taylor.

Print shows Uncle Sam and Puck offering a toast to the New Year and Peace, with several heavily armed representatives of nations labeled "France, J. Bull, Turkey, Russia, Germania, [and] Italy" sitting around a... More

Caricature, Under one flag / C.J. Taylor., public domain cartoon image

Print shows William Jennings Bryan standing on a tree stump labeled "Demagogism" and waving a flag labeled "Repudiation", with an anarchist labeled "Dynamite" holding a "Bomb" and a torch, and standing on paper... More

Some popular conceptions that the wheeling mania will change / F. Oppe...

Print shows a vignette cartoon depicting changes to folklore, fairy tales, courtship, and punishment, as though penance in Hell was not bad enough, that will result from the cycling craze, such as witches ridin... More

McKinley's valentines from his expectant and hopeful fellow-citizens /...

Print shows President McKinley standing at center holding a large cornucopia and emitting rays labeled "Prosperity", while around him are vignettes showing people from all walks of life, doctors, cabbies, club ... More

Extra session of the House of Representatives of the Fifty-fifth Congr...

Print shows Thomas B. Reed, Speaker of the House, sitting at the Speaker's desk and, oversized, as the only member of Congress present. Caption: Speaker Reed What is the pleasure of the House? Illus. from Puc... More

The annual surplus and its consequences - a study inspired by the comm...

Print shows, on the left, a long line of recent graduates with their "Diploma", some labeled "Doctor" and "Lawyer", passing by a man with a sign that states "Wanted Skilled Labor - Mechanics, Designers, Carvers... More

The real German-American / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows a German American man standing in front of a banner showing bust portraits of President William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt; as he casts his vote, he uses his left hand, holding papers la... More

Trying to float the old wreck / J.S. Pughe.

Illustration shows William Jennings Bryan, standing in the "Presidential Sea", pulling on a rope tied to a shipwreck labeled "Democracy" which was "Stranded 1896" on rocks labeled "16 to 1", "Bryanism", and "Bo... More

Caricature, Their best friend / Keppler., public domain cartoon image

Illustration shows a female figure labeled "Arbitration" standing between a laborer labeled "Strike" who is holding a bomb and about to throw a brick, with the words "Riot" and "Arson" appearing in the smoke bi... More

Two things he can't stop on sunday / Dalrymple.

Illustration shows an old man labeled "Sabbatarian Bigot" dressed as a Puritan, holding a book labeled "Blue Laws" and standing in front of "Niagara Falls." A man walking with his wife and child is suggesting t... More

July the 4th 1902 / L.M. Glackens.

Illustration shows Uncle Sam hugging a youthful John Bull on the Fourth of July cover, with firecrackers on both sides of the cover image and a remarque across the bottom showing a Revolutionary War soldier sen... More

[The owl's limitations] - Drawing. Public domain image.

A fox conducts a chorus of animals outdoors under a tree. Wolves, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, crows and other birds hold sheet music and sing. An owl sits in the tree, holding sheet music, but his mouth is... More

Many happy returns of the day / Keppler.

Illustration shows Puck giving a bouquet of roses labeled "With the Compliments of the People" to President and Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt. Illus. in: Puck, v. 52, no. 1348 (1902 December 31), centerfold. Copyrig... More

Caricature, A sound sleeper / Keppler., public domain cartoon image

Illustration shows Sir Thomas Lipton beating a hand-drum labeled "American Progress", trying to wake John Bull who is sound asleep in a chair.

A tidy job; but-- / J.S. Pughe.

Illustration shows New York City mayor Seth Low, as a lion tamer holding a whip, standing next to the Tammany Tiger which is bound in ribbons labeled "Civic Honesty, Fusion, Decent Government, Municipal Reforms... More

Sinnissippi Farm, Oregon, Ill., Panoramic Photograph

H51422 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; George Egbert Mellen; October 10, 1904; DLC/PP-1904:42281. Copyright claimant's address: Chicago.

Will it hatch? / J.S. Pughe. - Political cartoon, public domain image

Illustration shows Alton B. Parker as a chicken sitting on a large egg labeled "Parker Boom". Illus. in: Puck, v. 55, no. 1413 (1904 March 30), cover. Copyright 1904 by Keppler & Schwarzmann.

Panoramic view, looking north, New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Postcard shows a rooftop view of downtown New Bedford, centered on the First Baptist Church on Williams Street with commercial streets, business signs, church steeples, and on the right the harbor wharves. F402... More

Trinity Church, Copley Sq., Boston, Massachusetts.

Postcard shows Trinity Church across Copley Square, the surrounding neighborhood, pedestrians and horse and carriages.

Toxaway Inn and mountains, Panoramic Photograph

H74293 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Eagell Co.; March 6, 1906.

"De-light-ed!" / Keppler. - Political cartoon, public domain image

Illustration shows a large donkey sitting on its haunches, it is wearing a rough-rider hat and spectacles, and smiling like Theodore Roosevelt at the diminutive figures of Alton B. Parker and William Jennings B... More

The American invasion of Europe, Political Cartoon

(DLC/PP-1933:0112). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Chicago Tribune, May 5, 1907.

The democratic Micawber / K with thanks.

Illustration shows William Jennings Bryan, full-length portrait, standing, facing slightly right, as the eternally hopeful Mr. Micawber from the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield. Caption: "Waiting for s... More

Looking north from Grand Ave. Bridge, Beloit, Wis.

Postcard shows commercial buildings on a waterfront in Beloit, Wisconsin. H 116537 U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright by Hamilton Bros., Brodhead, Wisconsin.

Nothing left but a statue / K. - Political cartoon, public domain imag...

Illustration shows a troop of soldiers wearing red coats, some labeled "Clothing Trust, Franchise Grabber, Food Trust, [and] Land Trust", marching past Daniel Chester French's sculpture "The Minute Man". Among ... More

Rush City, Minn., Park, Main St. & Depot

Postcard shows Main Street across the park from Rush City Bank, railroad depot with watertower, residential neighborhood. H127016 U.S. Copyright Office.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego / L.M. Glackens.

Illustration shows three smiling, bloated monks labeled "Food Monopoly, Clothing Monopoly, [and] Building Material Monopoly" walking over flames labeled "Tariff Revision" in a superheated furnace. Caption: Wil... More

It's a shame the way they treat that cat! / K.

Illustration shows a cat labeled "The Consumer" sitting on the steps to the U.S. Capitol where a sign has been posted stating "Out of Town for the Summer Republican Congress".

Birdseye view in Aberdeen, So. Dak. looking north east from roof Carbe...

Postcard showing view of buildings in Aberdeen, South Dakota. J148537 U.S. Copyright Office. On photo: "Copyright by N.A. Brothers." Identified on photo: "Gass works," "Wholesale Plumer's Sup.," "Wholesale Gr... More

[Women's suffrage procession in Washington, D.C. 1913, March 3, crowd ...

Copyright by G.V. Buck, Wash., D.C. Public domain photograph - historical image of Washington DC, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

How times have changed! / Keppler., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows Uncle Sam sitting on a throne, reading a "Petition of the Railroads for Permission to Raise Rates" while diminutive representatives of railroad companies stand before him; the ghost of Cornel... More

[Mt. Washington hotel in Bretton Wood, New Hampshire #1]

Postcard shows panoramic view of a resort. J194598 U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright by Hollis Walton Blair, Bretton Woods, N.H.

Crown Prince Luitpold, Bavaria - Glass negative photogrpah. Public dom...

Photograph shows Prince Luitpold of Bayern (1901-1914) wearing a lace trimmed dark satin jacket and matching knee breeches, dark stockings and black patent leather pumps with large buckles. Description from an ... More

[General Otto von Below, half-length portrait, facing right]

Bain News Service photograph. George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). A222. E.P. & Co, A.G.L.

The Serbian Army crossing Tchakor, 1915 L'Armée Serbe traversant Tchak...

Print shows Serbian troops marching through the snow across a mountainside in Serbia. Illus. in: La guerre de cinq ans - Les Serbes in 1912-1916 par Sampson Tchernoff : The five-years war - The Serbs in 1912-1... More

Circumstances alter cases. It is most humiliating ...

(DLC/PP-1933:0112). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Chicago Tribune, Sept. 3, 1926.

The Hartford Convention or Leap no leap / Wm. Charles, Sc.

Charles's satire attacks the Hartford Convention, a series of secret meetings of New England Federalists held in December 1814. The artist caricatures radical secessionist leader Timothy Pickering and lampoons... More

William Heath - The royal milling match, British Cartoon Print

Caricature showing Lord Yarmouth hitting the Prince Regent in the eye, as Lady Yarmouth looks from behind screen covered with caricatures. Forms part of : British Cartoon Prints Collection (Library of Congress... More

Sin, Death, and the Devil - vide Milton, British Cartoon Print

A satire on the struggle between Pitt and Thurlow travestied as a scene from Paradise Lost. Pitt is Death, wearing only the king's crown. Thurlow is Satan. The Queen is Sin, naked, with two writhing serpents fo... More

[Michael Faraday, half-length portrait, three-quarters to the right, s...

British physicist and chemist, inventor of the electric generator. Scratched on back of plate: 454; Faraday. Transfer; U.S. War College; 1920; (DLC/PP-1920:46153). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Libra... More

[Postcard, 1874 Jan. 5], Wien [to] H. Levi

J. Br. [Johannes Brahms]. (statement of responsibility) Holograph, signed. An autograph postcard of Johannes Brahms, written to Hermann Levi, conductor. In pencil. Published in: Johannes Brahms in Briefwechsel ... More

The tea-tax-tempest, or the Anglo-American revolution, British Cartoon...

Print shows a satire expressing a Continental European view of the American Revolution, showing Father Time using a magic lantern to project the image of a teapot exploding among frightened British troops as Am... More

[Postcard, 1882 Nov. 29], Wien [to] Ed. Hanslick

[Johannes Brahms]. (statement of responsibility) Holograph. An autograph postcard of Johannes Brahms, written to Eduard Hanslick, music critic, aesthetician, musicologist, and Austrian civil servant. The materi... More

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

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

Postcard from Mabel Hubbard Bell to Alexander Graham Bell, 1876

Wouldn't the founders of the nation be surprised if they could see how...

The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, which includes the U.S. Capitol building,... More

The parricide A sketch of modern patriotism.

Print shows a woman wearing a feathered headdress, representing "America", stepping on Britannia's broken spear and shield, she lunges from the left, at the direction of John Wilkes, toward "Britannia" who is b... More

[Daniel Webster, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing slightly right]

Federalist Congressman from New Hampshire, 1813-1817; Whig Congressman from Massachusetts, 1823-1827; Whig Senator from Massachusetts, 1827-1841, 1845-1850; Secretary of State, 1841-1843, 1850-1852. Facing the... More

[Postcard, 1873 Aug. 11], Tutzing [to] Herman[n] Levi

J. Br. [Johannes Brahms]. (statement of responsibility) Holograph, signed. An autograph postcard of Johannes Brahms, written to Hermann Levi, conductor. The material described in this catalog record is located ... More

[Postcard, 1877 Dec. 3], Wien [to] Herman[n] Levi

J. Br. [Johannes Brahms]. (statement of responsibility) Holograph, signed. An autograph postcard of Johannes Brahms, written to Hermann Levi, conductor. Published in: Johannes Brahms in Briefwechsel mit Hermann... More

Cartoon. - Political cartoon, public domain image

Picryl description: Public domain vintage artistic photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

[Jacob Collamer, half-length portrait, three-quarters to left]

Whig Congressman from Vermont, 1843-1849; U.S. Postmaster General, 1849-1850; Republican Senator, 1855-1865. Identification from engraving by A.H. Ritchie, Daguerd. by Brady, N.Y., engraved for the American Rev... More

Balloon ascension to the presidential chair

Reflecting Whig preelection confidence in the campaign of 1844, the artist portrays that party's ascendancy over the Democrats in the race for the presidency. Bucholzer uses the metaphor of a hot-air balloon ra... More

[Panoramic photo showing Trinity Church, Hotel Westminster, east end o...

Picryl description: Public domain photograph of a historic hotel building, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[Postcard, 1882 July24], Ischl [to] Robert Keller

J. Brahms. (statement of responsibility) Holograph, signed. An autograph postcard of Johannes Brahms, written to Robert Keller, music editor. Published in: The Brahms-Keller correspondence. Lincoln : University... More

[Unidentified man, about 25 years of age, three-quarter length portrai...

Alternative identification: Hon. William Mitchell (cat. 5). Scratched on face of plate: 245; Wm. Mitchell. Scratched on back of plate: 261. Transfer; U.S. War College; 1920; (DLC/PP-1920:46153). Forms part of:... More

John Bull making a new batch of ships to send to the lakes / Charles, ...

A satire on British efforts to recover after major naval losses on the Great Lakes in 1813 and 1814. According to Lanmon, it is based on Thomas Rowlandson's 1798 satire "High Fun for John Bull or the Republica... More

"The wandering jew" / Keppler. - Political cartoon, public domain imag...

Illustration shows South African President Paul Kruger wandering Europe in exile. Illus. in: Puck, v. 48, no. 1244 (1901 January 9), centerfold. Copyright 1901 by Keppler & Schwarzmann.

[Postcard, 1884 Sept. 15], Wien [to] Eduard Hanslick

J. Br. [Johannes Brahms]. (statement of responsibility) Holograph, signed. An autograph postcard of Johannes Brahms, written to Eduard Hanslick, music critic, aesthetician, musicologist, and Austrian civil serv... More

A picturesque view of the state of the nation for February 1778, Briti...

Cartoon shows America (represented by a man with feathered cap) cutting the horns off a cow (representing British commerce) which is being milked by a Dutchman, two men (representing France and Spain) are stand... More

The serenade - Public domain dedication image

(DLC/PP-1932:0029). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published as comic in: "The Serenade," Harper's bazaar, 22:916 (Dec. 14, 1889).

[Benjamin family group portrait, posed around a column]

From left to right: Cornelia Juliaette, Zina Hitchcock, Frances Antoinette, Samuel Clark, and Joanette. Case: Rinhart 9. Stamped on mat: Whitney, Roch. NY. Gift; Frances Benjamin Johnston. Forms part of: France... More

Britannias ruin, British Cartoon Print, Political Cartoon

Print shows Britannia lamenting her present state, her shield and broken lance by her side, "What a situation am I in sold by an American & purchased by France & Spain. Oh, wheres my Pitt." Four men are standin... More

The great exhibition of 1860. American Civil War 1861-1865.

The artist satirizes the antislavery orientation of the Republican platform. Abolitionist editor Horace Greeley (left) grinds his New York "Tribune" organ as candidate Abraham Lincoln (center, riding on a woode... More

Honest Abe taking them on the half shell

A pro-Lincoln satire. The Republican candidate ponders the miniature figures of northern and southern Democratic nominees Stephen A. Douglas (left) and John C. Breckinridge (right) which he holds before him on ... More

Black republican wood engraving, Library of Congress

Picture shows an African American man wearing dress clothes, holding his hat and gloves in his hands.

Stop Doctor I have a little account to settle with you

An old man in a nightgown and cap chases after a doctor who hurries ahead holding a walking stick. Inscribed above doctor: My old Patient come back again I declare I find there is no trusting to Nostrums. No co... More

[Postcard, 1892 March 29], Wien [to] Ed. Hanslick

J. Br. [Johannes Brahms]. (statement of responsibility) Holograph, signed. An autograph postcard of Johannes Brahms, written to Eduard Hanslick, music critic, aesthetician, musicologist, and Austrian civil serv... More

[Zachary Taylor and his cabinet, all seated except President Taylor]

Left to right: William Ballard Preston, Secretary of the Navy; Thomas Ewing, Secretary of the Interior; John Middleton Clayton, Secretary of State; Zachary Taylor, Twelfth President of the United States; Willia... More

View from Point Lookout, Lookout Mountain

Public domain photograph - panorama, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[James Brown, half-length portrait, three-quarters to the right, eyes ...

Publisher of Little, Brown & Co. Identification from portrait in G.S. Hilliard, Memoir of James Brown, 1856. Scratched on back of plate: 78 [cancelled]; 237; Life[?] Brown. Hallmark: 40. Transfer; U.S. War Coll... More

[Postcard invitation for the Lincoln Union first annual ball.]. Back o...

Picryl description: Public domain historical photo of the address side of postcard, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

[Postcard of the Lincoln National Memorial, near Hodgenville, Ky.]

Picryl description: Public domain historical photo of the address side of postcard, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

The seven stages of the office seeker / Clay, fecit.

A satire on patronage and corruption in New York State politics, based on the medieval theme, perpetuated in American folk art, of the "life and ages of man." Here the seven stages are illustrated as key points... More

[Solomon Nunes Carvalho, half-length portrait, facing slightly left, s...

Public domain scan of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[View of Niagara Falls, reversed view]

Reversed view from prospect point on the American side, toward the Horseshoe, or Canadian falls, showing the Terrapin Tower in the background, and eight male figures standing, in the foreground. Scratched on fa... More

[General Post Office from the corner of 7th Street and E Street, NW, W...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a daguerreotype portrait, early photography, 19th century, Victorian style, free to use, no copyright restrictions.