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Posted: 30 Jun 2016

Taken: 30 Jun 2016

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D'lighted, July 4, 1907

D'lighted, July 4, 1907
A recipient of this Fourth of July postcard in 1907 would have recognized this puzzling array of fireworks as a parody of then-President Theodore Roosevelt's facial features.

The lit firecrackers and smoke portray Roosevelt's toothy grin and moustache, the two interconnected diamond-shaped arrangements represent his characteristic pince-nez glasses, and the cavalry hat with the crossed sabers reflect his service in the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.

Even the "D'lighted" caption for the scene of the boy lighting the fireworks derives from Roosevelt's frequent use of "Dee-lighted!," which along with "Bully!" was one of his favorite exclamations.

Smiley Derleth, , wintorbos have particularly liked this photo

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 wintorbos
wintorbos club
Fascinating! The thing I love about postcards is how deeply they've taken me into the mindset of the Edwardian age. I feel as though I could walk into that world and know enough about what was going on, and how people spoke, thought and interacted, to pass undetected among them (for a short time, anyway ... maybe!)

Any reason the child is dressed as he is?
7 years ago.
Alan Mays club has replied to wintorbos club
Thanks! I find it interesting, too, to try and understand the meaning a postcard or photograph had when it was originally published. I think that the boy--with his tricorne hat, long jacket, cuffs, boots, etc.--is intended to represent colonial or Revolutionary War-era garb. Maybe he's even supposed to look like George Washington. Compare his clothing with the colonial kids in this photo from 1931:

Revolutionary War Monument, Middletown, Pa., 1931
7 years ago.

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