Judge, 1908-09-26 · page 16 of 16
Judge — September 26, 1908 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1908 Judge magazine comic strip satirizes Theodore Roosevelt's popularity and his association with "teddy bears"—toys named after him following a famous 1902 hunting incident. "Little Johnny" represents the American public enchanted by Roosevelt's vigor and persona. The subtitle's reference to a "catcher" wanting muzzles on "wand'ring Teds" suggests anxiety about Roosevelt's uncontrollable energy and influence spreading unchecked through society. Panel 5 depicts a woman (likely representing America or a concerned citizen) attacking the catcher in "vengeance dire," with police reluctant to intervene—satirizing public support for Roosevelt despite establishment concerns about his assertive policies and unpredictability. The strip mocks both Roosevelt-mania and elite discomfort with his populist appeal and independent behavior. The "teddy bears" metaphor transforms the president into something cuddly yet potentially dangerous if left unmuzzled.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Muawge- LITTLE JOHNNY AND THE TEDDY BEARS. THE CATCHER THINKS THAT WAND'RING TEDS SHOULD EACH HAVE MUZZLES ON THEIR HEADS. 5. She grabs the catcher in her ire And threatens him with vengeance dire, While a policeman slow draws near, Good-natured, loath to interfere. COPYRIGHT, 190K, BY JUDGE COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, FIFTH AVENUE AND MADISON SQUARE, NEW YORK ‘The Firat Series of the adventures of “Little Johnny and the Teddy Bears” is now ready in handsome book to: r by book dealers everywhere, or sent postpaid upon receipt of price by Judge Company, Filth Avenue and Madison Satiare, New York. rm. Price, 60 cents. For sate k. comicbooks.com