Puck magazine was the first humor publication in the United States to feature cartoons, caricatures, and political satire. The publication was founded in 1871 by cartoonist Joseph Keppler, born in Austria. The magazine’s first English-language edition came out in 1877, covering topics such as Tammany Hall and presidential politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“Puckish” means “childishly mischievous.” This led Shakespeare’s character Puck (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream) to be recast as a charming near-naked boy and used as the magazine’s title. Puck was the first weekly magazine to feature illustrated advertising and to use full-color lithography printing. Puck was published between 1871 and 1918. Here are some amazing photos of Puck magazine covers from the 19th Century.
