Puck

Puck was the first successful humor magazine in the United States that offered colourful cartoons, caricatures, and political satire of the issues of the day. It was published from 1871 until 1918 from its head office situated in St. Louis, before moving to New York City.

Founding and Ownership

Established by Joseph Keppler, an Austrian-born cartoonist, Puck was initially published in German, with an English-language edition commencing two years later in 1877. The magazine was named after the character of Puck from William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

The ownership of Puck eventually passed to Joseph Keppler, Jr., who continued the magazine's traditions for almost a decade after his father's death in 1894. In 1917, Puck was sold to William Randolph Hearst who chose not to maintain the magazine, ending its publication in September 1918.

Content and Influence

Puck is best known for its political cartoons and satirical humor. The cartoons played a critical role during the Presidential elections and other political events, providing commentary on issues relevant to the time.

The magazine was composed of 16 pages of satirical articles and cartoons, and it used chromolithography to create vibrant, multi-color prints. It regularly featured artwork by noteworthy cartoonists of the day such as Louis Dalrymple, Bernhard Gillam, and Frank Nankivell.

Legacy

In the annals of American satire, Puck is renowned for its daring, incisive, humorous, and well-drawn cartoons. Its legacy lasted well into the 20th century as it influenced generations of American humor and satire publications that followed, effectively setting the stage for modern topical satire.{{Categories}}