Rushing the Season, by Joseph Keppler, Puck, 1882 March 8
Item — Box: 1, Folder: 8
Scope and Content:
From the Collection:
The Helen Farr Sloan’s political cartoon collection (1802-1950) contains a variety of prints of political cartoons, illustrations, and caricatures from several different magazines. The collection contains pages from magazines, pages from books, and other prints that were not a part of a publication. The magazines featured include Puck, Judge, Vanity Fair (British, 1868-1914), Vanity Fair (American, 1913-1936), Harper’s Weekly, Gil Blas, Le Charivari, Truth, The New Yorker, The Illustrated London News, The New York Herald, and The Sun. There are other series included like Treagar’s Black Jokes and Le Gens de Paris. There are works from publishers like S.W. Fores, Currier & Ives, and J.Sidebotham. Also included are works by Rowlandson, which are individually published.
The first series contains cartoons from Puck magazine. Its materials are pages and covers from the magazine including the fronts and backs of the pages. The artists that are included are Frederick Burr Opper, Frederich Graetz, Bernhard Gillam, J.S. Pughe, James Albert Wales, and Samuel Ehrhart.
The second series contains cartoons from Judge magazine. The materials are pages and covers from the magazine and include both the fronts and backs of the pages. The artists that are included are Thomas Worth, Bernhard Gillam, Victor Gillam, and Grant E. Hamilton.
The third series contains cartoons, caricatures, and portraits from Vanity Fair (British, 1868-1914) and Vanity Fair (American, 1913-1936) magazines. The materials for the British magazine include the one-sided caricatures and cartoons featured in the publication. The material for the American magazine contains a portrait on the front and a table of contents on the back of the page. The artists that are included are Carlo Pellegrini (Ape/Singe), James Tissot (Coïdé), Thomas Nast, Leslie Ward (Spy), and William Henry Cotton.
The fourth series contains cartoons from Harper’s Weekly magazine. The materials include the front and back side of pages from the magazine. The artists that are included are William L. Sheppard, Charles G. Bush, Thomas Nast, and A.B. Frost.
The fifth series contains cartoons, caricatures, and illustrations from various magazines and publications. The artists and their publications include Théophile Steinlin, from Gil Blas, Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier (Paul Gavarni), from Le Gens de Paris, Thomas Rowlandson, William Summers, from Tregear’s Black Jokes, Charles Williams, William Elmes, George Cruikshank, Isaac Robert Cruikshank, Jules Joseph Georges Renard (Draner), Charles Robinson, from The Illustrated London News, Thomas Worth, Richard F. Outcault, from the New York Herald, Helen E. Hokinson, from The New Yorker, Charles Amédée de Noé (Cham), from Le Charivari, Sydney B. Griffin, from Truth, Oscar Cesare, from The Sun, and William Bruns.
There are a wide variety of themes and events covered in the cartoons and illustrations throughout the collection. There are numerous presidential elections covered including the elections of 1806, 1880, 1884, 1888, 1892, and 1900. The 43rd and 54th Congresses are both represented within cartoons in the series. Other events that are shown in cartoons in the collection are the Chicago World’s Fair/World’s Columbian Exposition, the Spanish-American War, Reconstruction, and the Kansas Exodus. There are also many representations of the Democratic, Republican, Greenback, and Citizens parties as well as Tammany Hall. Other themes included are immigration, Jewish communities, social ambition, weather problems, voting rights, the gold standard vs. free silver debate, diseases, family roles, plantations, white supremacy groups, Communism, financial issues, militaries, pic-nic societies, King George IV’s court, political corruption, and social events and issues. A large number of the cartoons included in the collections are products of their times and therefore many include racist language and depictions. The transcriptions and metadata associated with each cartoon is described as is for the purpose of providing the easiest access to the collection and does in no way reflect the views of Wilkes University or its archive department.
The first series contains cartoons from Puck magazine. Its materials are pages and covers from the magazine including the fronts and backs of the pages. The artists that are included are Frederick Burr Opper, Frederich Graetz, Bernhard Gillam, J.S. Pughe, James Albert Wales, and Samuel Ehrhart.
The second series contains cartoons from Judge magazine. The materials are pages and covers from the magazine and include both the fronts and backs of the pages. The artists that are included are Thomas Worth, Bernhard Gillam, Victor Gillam, and Grant E. Hamilton.
The third series contains cartoons, caricatures, and portraits from Vanity Fair (British, 1868-1914) and Vanity Fair (American, 1913-1936) magazines. The materials for the British magazine include the one-sided caricatures and cartoons featured in the publication. The material for the American magazine contains a portrait on the front and a table of contents on the back of the page. The artists that are included are Carlo Pellegrini (Ape/Singe), James Tissot (Coïdé), Thomas Nast, Leslie Ward (Spy), and William Henry Cotton.
The fourth series contains cartoons from Harper’s Weekly magazine. The materials include the front and back side of pages from the magazine. The artists that are included are William L. Sheppard, Charles G. Bush, Thomas Nast, and A.B. Frost.
The fifth series contains cartoons, caricatures, and illustrations from various magazines and publications. The artists and their publications include Théophile Steinlin, from Gil Blas, Sulpice Guillaume Chevalier (Paul Gavarni), from Le Gens de Paris, Thomas Rowlandson, William Summers, from Tregear’s Black Jokes, Charles Williams, William Elmes, George Cruikshank, Isaac Robert Cruikshank, Jules Joseph Georges Renard (Draner), Charles Robinson, from The Illustrated London News, Thomas Worth, Richard F. Outcault, from the New York Herald, Helen E. Hokinson, from The New Yorker, Charles Amédée de Noé (Cham), from Le Charivari, Sydney B. Griffin, from Truth, Oscar Cesare, from The Sun, and William Bruns.
There are a wide variety of themes and events covered in the cartoons and illustrations throughout the collection. There are numerous presidential elections covered including the elections of 1806, 1880, 1884, 1888, 1892, and 1900. The 43rd and 54th Congresses are both represented within cartoons in the series. Other events that are shown in cartoons in the collection are the Chicago World’s Fair/World’s Columbian Exposition, the Spanish-American War, Reconstruction, and the Kansas Exodus. There are also many representations of the Democratic, Republican, Greenback, and Citizens parties as well as Tammany Hall. Other themes included are immigration, Jewish communities, social ambition, weather problems, voting rights, the gold standard vs. free silver debate, diseases, family roles, plantations, white supremacy groups, Communism, financial issues, militaries, pic-nic societies, King George IV’s court, political corruption, and social events and issues. A large number of the cartoons included in the collections are products of their times and therefore many include racist language and depictions. The transcriptions and metadata associated with each cartoon is described as is for the purpose of providing the easiest access to the collection and does in no way reflect the views of Wilkes University or its archive department.
Dates
- Created: 1882 March 8
Creator
- Opper, Frederick Burr, 1857-1937 (Person)
Access:
Anyone may access these political cartoons.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Political cartoon
Condition Note:
Fair. The material has yellowed and has some tears.
Measurements:
20.3 x 13.2
Title:
Rushing the Season
Description:
This Joseph Keppler cartoon for Puck magazine, shows the inside of a greenhouse filled with plants that have the heads of politicians with nicknames referencing an aspect of the politician’s life that has influenced their political campaigns and careers. The cartoon is making the argument that the press is aiding in displaying presidential candidates before they are “fully grown” or before they have a structured campaign. Each politician's plant name mentions something in relation to their life which may influence their campaign. In the center of the room is a man built out of newspapers and office supplies, with a plant pot that says “Arthuria Accidentalia” in reference to the head of Chester A. Arthur since his presidency was “accidental” due to the assassination of James A. Garfield. His head is made of a lamphead, a newspaper that reads “Herald,” and scissors. The collar of his shirt is newspapers that say, “Tribune” and “Advertiser.” His bowtie is newspapers as well that say “Times” and “N.Y. Sun.” His body is a barrel that says “Press” on the side and a newspaper on each side saying, “Louisville Courier Journal” and “Cincinnati Co[mmercial].” One of his arms is a paint brush, and the other is a human hand. His legs are two fountain pens and his pants are newspapers that say “Chicago.” There is another man standing behind him in a black suit and top hat. He is holding a paper that says, “Recomi-” and a shovel that says “Out of a Job.” He is pointing to the doorway. In the doorway are two other men, one in a suit and hat holding a pitchfork, and the other in a more rugged jacket and hat holding a hoe that says “Hard up.” In the background behind them is the White House. Above the doorway are the words “Political Hot House.” To the right of the image is a table. On top of it are three plant pots, the first reading “Blainea Sunstrokea” with the head of James G. Blaine in the plant, referencing when he got sunstroke and it was argued that if nominated he would not be able to participate in his own campaign due to the ailment. Behind it is the head of Charles Francis Adams Sr. in a pot with the tag “Adamsia Icebergea,” as he was referred to as “the greatest Iceberg in the Northern hemisphere” for his cold demeanor. Next is a pot with the label “Davis Solidus' ' with the head of David Davis, since he was referred to as a “solid independent” in the issue On the floor below the table are different gardening tools including a watering can with the text “Expectation Water.” To the left of the image are different rows of potted plants. At the top is the head of Rutherford B. Hayes with the label “Hayesia Hayseedia,” meaning he is unsophisticated, and the head of George B. McClellan with the tag “Mc Clellanea Stuckinthemuddia,” due to him being known for his dull nature. The next level is the head of in Winfield Hancock in a pot labeled “Hancockhea Gigantea,” referring to him weighing two hundred and fifty pounds as is mentioned in this issue of Puck, the head of Roscoe Conkling with the label “Conklingia Shotgunia,” referring to the husband of the woman he was rumored to be having an affair with chasing after him with a shotgun. The next shelf has the head of Thomas F. Bayard with the label “Bayardus Immaculatus,” since he is called “immaculate” in numerous instances in articles and in a congressional hearing, and a pot with the text “Fieldea Newcodea” and the head of Stephen J. Field, referring to his advocacy of substantive due process, which would eventually get adopted by the Supreme Court. There is also a pot labeled “Tildenus Fossilis” with the head of Samuel Tilden, since he was 62 when he was elected in 1876, a pot labeled “Thurmania Ragbabia” with the head of Allen G. Thurman, referring to “rag baby” which was used for the Greenback Party’s want for the printing of paper money that would not hold a value in gold, and the head of John Sherman in a pot with the label “Shermania Honestia,” since he was known for his honesty. On the floor in front of the shelves are pots as well. First a pot labeled “Grantea Thirdtermia” with the head of Ulysses S. Grant, commenting on the fact that this would be his third term as president, the head of Wayne MacVeagh in a pot with the label “McVeaghia Nochanceea,” since Keppler believes he does not have a chance of winning, and a pot with the label “Edmundsia Vermontsia” with the head of George F. Edmunds who politically represented Vermont. There is also a pot labeled “Butleria Cockeya” with the head of Benjamin Butler, likely due to him being known for having a crossed left eye, which led to his nickname “Old Cock-Eye,” and the head of William M. Evarts with the label “Evartsia Chinnea,” since he spent a lot of time trying to reduce Chinese immigration into the United States. He went as far as making a deal with the government in China to limit immigration. Finally the head of Abram S. Hewitt with a pot labeled “Hewittiea Tariffia,” since he introduced a controversial tariff bill. Keppler is an Austrian satirical cartoonist. He studied art in Vienna and drew cartoons for Kikeriki before getting a job as a set painter and art restorer. In 1848 he moved to the United States to work as an actor before helping with Die Vehme, and then Frank und Frei. Finally he began working for Puck in 1871, until 1872. Keppler is credited for helping Puck regain popularity and for creating the English version. The back of the cartoon features articles that do not relate to the image, as well as three other cartoons.
Transcription:
The title is printed below the image, “Rushing the Season,” with the caption, “Unoccupied Politician: –’Oh I assure you my dear Mr. Press, it’s none too early to begin to set out the Presidential Plants!”
- Adams, Charles Francis, 1807-1886.
- Arthur, Chester Alan, 1829-1886
- Bayard, Thomas F. (Thomas Francis), 1828-1898.
- Blaine, James Gillespie, 1830-1893.
- Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893.
- Conkling, Roscoe, 1829-1888.
- Davis, David, 1815-1886.
- Edmunds, George F. (George Franklin), 1828-1919
- Evarts, William Maxwell, 1818-1901.
- Field, Stephen J. (Stephen Johnson), 1816-1899
- Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881
- Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885.
- Greenback Party (U.S.)
- Hancock, Winfield Scott, 1824-1886.
- Hayes, Rutherford B., 1822-1893.
- Hewitt, Abram S. (Abram Stevens), 1822-1903.
- Immigration.
- Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894
- McClellan, George B. (George Brinton), 1826-1885
- Sherman, John, 1823-1900.
- Thurman, Allen Granbery, 1813-1895.
- Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886.
Creator
- Opper, Frederick Burr, 1857-1937 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu