American political cartoons

The American political cartoons collection contains approximately 530 prints relating to politics in the United States from 1767 to the 1950s, with the bulk of the items dating from 1840 to 1870. Most are engravings, but some lithographs are also included.

The collection highlights both well-known and less recognized American public figures. Subjects include American governance, presidents and politicians, political corruption, social misfortunes, and the American Civil War, as well as caricature and cartooning in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable printers represented in the collection are Henry R. Robinson, Currier & Ives, and E. W. Kemble. There is also a set of 58 cartoons from San Francisco based satirical magazine The Wasp; all are from 1881 and most are illustrated by George Frederick Keller.