1908 Theodore Roosevelt Cartoon As Billiken In Africa After President On Safari
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:15120611 | President: Theodore Roosevelt |
Back in 1908, art teacher Florence Pretz of Kansas City, Missouri literally dreamed up the figure of a Billiken, which was supposed to bring good luck and "was the god of things as they ought to be." She quickly patented her idea and the design figure then proceeded to sell it to The Billiken Company of Chicago, Illinois. Just in time for the postcard craze so everyone could make a lot of money, it also happened during the presidential campaign, when both candidates were conv...eniently named William, with the nick-name of Bill. Even MORE fun and money. This cute, standard sized postcard shows Theodore Roosevelt as a Billiken sitting on the map of Africa. Right after that 1908 election and his successor Taft was sworn in, TR left on his famous African excursion and was there for over a year. So this was done to make money off that event. It is in nice shape but please enlarge our images and judge condition for yourself so that you can be happy with your purchase since it does have a crease and edge wear. But we're also not asking the $78 someone got for one of these in an eBay auction back on October 12, either. Lucky dogs. S & H on this will be $4.00 carefully packed, first class with tracking. We are members of APIC and sell only authentic presidential campaign material so buy with confidence. We will combine S&H even though eBay says we don't. Just request a new invoice before paying.
We recently had the good fortune to purchase the life-long collection of one of the Midwest's premier political postcard specialists, who also happens to be a very good friend. Since many of their cards are duplicates of our own, we both felt it was important to offer great cards back into the collector market, so that others continue having the fun of discovery and pride of ownership that we have experienced over the decades. Hopefully you can find a gem or two to add to your own collection, so check our eBay store over time for this great opportunity.
Our collecting interests fall into all categories of presidential campaign material, but postcards remain at the top of the list. Like buttons, their graphics can be spectacular. But they have the added advantage of being able to contain a lot more of it with much more diverse art. They may relate to a specific person or event or articulate opposing campaign slogans. Many can be "mated-up" with an example for another candidate: the 1912 pennant cards have seemingly endless color combinations, images and slogans so you'll never have them all, which keeps your quest alive. Some have "coat-tails" and are geographically specific or contain "hopefuls" or are from an person's early career. One can simply collect their favorite candidate. In history, the 1908 election occurred at the height of the overall postcard craze by the public, so one can acquire a massive collection for that year alone. Cards can be one-of-a-kind real photos, printed photos or lithographs while others are part of an set. Some are cross-collectibles involving baseball, other sports, artists, causes or holidays. They can show one or more candidates - often even the opposing candidates - which one rarely finds on pins.
Just remember this: if it doesn't have a printed place for a stamp and an address or wasn't machine-mailed like most modern examples, by definition it ISN'T a postcard. Having it used through the mail confirms its history (if you're worried about reproductions) and adds to its depth. Be aware that condition may be part of the mailing: it's important and can affect the value. But being obsessed and possessed like many button fanatics over obtaining perfect condition examples can be time wasted from the joy of collecting.
Cards are much more personal than pins. You know they were handled, way back when, and are also meant to be today (using care). If folding or mechanical, they MUST be touched and worked to fully appreciate them. Many backs contain a political message or show a postmark nailing down a small town or date. Some show a particular moment in American history: a meeting of great individuals or the last days or hours of a person - often the president. Others then show the early days of his successor. Pins don't often show that.
Many cards have anti-cartoons - their great, artwork barbs and blurbs are classic political fun; sarcastic, creative, witty and sometimes suggestive, as being rendered by the famous or not-so. Pro-examples can gush enthusiastically. Some reflect America's socially or racially questionable past from which we may learn. Others show an obscure candidate and were printed in rather limited numbers. Postcard evolution from the late 19th-century to the oversize mailers of today can be displayed in one tray. Can you tell we love 'em! Therefore, we're listing a broad selection to pique your interest and show what we mean about how great, diverse and wonderful these relatively affordable political collectibles are. Most of all, have fun with them. Postcards were meant to be FUN.
