Exhibition ·
Nast & the Birth of the Political Cartoon
Every plate we can restore — the full run.
Thomas Nast, drawing for Harper's Weekly through the 1860s, '70s and '80s, effectively invented the American political cartoon. He gave us the Republican elephant and the Democratic donkey, fixed the modern image of Santa Claus, and hounded Boss Tweed's Tammany ring out of power with a pen. This is the archive of his work we have recovered and restored — public domain, digitally cleaned and labeled at comicbooks.com.
Thomas Nast (c. 1860–1870)attributed to the Mathew Brady Studio Attributed to the Mathew Brady Studio, c. 1860–1870. Glass plate collodion negative. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution (NPG.81.M1232). CC0.
Belmont Snipe HuntThomas Nast May 18, 1872
"Caught!"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Thomas Nast, 1889. Wood engraving.
Portrait of Thomas Nast, c. 1860–1865Mathew Benjamin Brady c. 1860–1865, photograph by Mathew B. Brady
Portrait of Thomas Nast, c. 1860–1865Mathew Benjamin Brady Photographed c. 1860–1865 by Mathew Brady
The Compliments of the Season, A La CarteNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist January 1, 1894
Palm SundayThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, May 20, 1865
Andy's Trip: "Who Has Suffered More for You and for This Union Than Andrew Johnson?"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist c. 1866–1868, Harper's Weekly
Schurz Greeley JokerThomas Nast May 25, 1872
Schurz Greeley MonkeyThomas Nast July 6, 1872
As Tom Nast Predicted ItNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1892
"Here's a Pretty Mess!" (In Wyoming)Thomas Nast 1885
"1775 — Another 'Shot Heard Round the World' — 1875"Thomas Nast Published May 8, 1875
"All Hail and Farewell to the Pacific Railroad."Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, July 10, 1869
"For he's a jolly good fellow, so say we all of us"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Thomas Nast, 1889. Engraving, originally published in Harper's Weekly.
"Halt!" — Thomas Nast, 1874Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Published in Harper's Weekly, 1874
"Move On!" Has the Native American No Rights That the Naturalized American Is Bound to Respect?Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist April 22, 1871
"No Interference"Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, December 6, 1879
"Thank God for Maryland Freeing Her Slaves" — from *Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1864*Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, December 3, 1864
Our Watering-Places — Views at Long BranchThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, 26 August 1865
A Group of Vultures Waiting for the Storm to "Blow Over" — "Let Us Prey"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist September 23, 1871
Amphitheatrum Johnsonianum — Massacre of the Innocents at New Orleans, July 30, 1866Bonner, John, 1828-1899;
Curtis, George William, 1824-1892;
Alden, Henry Mills, Harper's Weekly, March 30, 1867
A Rebel Guerrilla Raid In A Western TownThomas Nast 1862
A Republican Form of Government, and No Domestic ViolenceThomas Nast March 6, 1875
And Not This Man? (August 1865)Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, 5 August 1865
This Little Boy Would Persist in Handling Books Above His CapacityThomas Nast for Harper's Weekly March 21, 1868
Andrew Johnson Weeping Over the 1866 National Union ConventionThomas Nast 1866
Another SedanThomas Nast November 10, 1877
Arrival of a Federal Column at a Planter's House in DixieThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, April 4, 1863
Barkis TrumbullThomas Nast March 23, 1872
Both Sides of the QuestionThomas Nast October 24, 1868
"Bottom Facts"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1876
Johann Most: When His Skin Is Not In Danger, And— / When It IsThomas Nast May 22, 1886
Civil Service ReformNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1877
Colored Rule in a Reconstructed StateThomas Nast March 14, 1874
Columbia between thieves and scandal (Nast cartoon, 1872)Thomas Nast Published Harper's Weekly, May 4, 1872
Confederate Army Crossing the Potomac for the Invasion of MarylandPrint of a wood engraving of a drawing by Thomas Nast that was published in Har Published September 27, 1862
"A Live Jackass Kicking a Dead Lion" (1870)Thomas Nast January 19, 1870
EMANCI4 January 1863
Effect of the Vote on the Eleventh Article of ImpeachmentThomas Nast May 30, 1868
"Every Dog Has His Day" (1879)Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, February 8, 1879
The Third-Term PanicThomas Nast November 7, 1874 · Thomas Nast · Harper's Weekly
Give the Natives a Chance, Mr. CarlNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, March 13, 1880
The Government of the City of New York; What That 'Ere "Honorable Body" Will Come ToThomas Nast February 9, 1867
Grant Blown on by a Cabal of SenatorsThomas Nast Published Harper's Weekly, March 16, 1872
Grant Civil Service ReformThomas Nast February 3, 1872
Grant Inflation Bill VetoThomas Nast Published Harper's Weekly, May 23, 1874
Grant asks Schurz to play on a FluteThomas Nast April 27, 1872
Grant Liberal GratitudeThomas Nast May 11, 1872
Greeley CincinnatusThomas Nast February 10, 1872
Hang ThaddeusThomas Nast 1866
Abraham Lincoln and the Drummer-BoyBonner, John, 1828-1899;
Curtis, George William, 1824-1892;
Alden, Henry Mills, c. 1863–1867, published in Harper's Weekly
Was It Not a Rum Disaster, After All, at Spuyten Duyvil?Unknown. Edited slightly by Daniel Case prior to upload February 4, 1882
Pacific Chivalry – Encouragement to Chinese ImmigrationThomas Nast (1840–1902) for Harper & Brothers, New York City Harper's Weekly, 7 August 1869, p. 512
Time Works WondersThomas Nast April 9, 1870
Historic Examples of Southern Chivalry — Dedicated to Jeff. DavisNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1863
Honi-Soit-Qui-Mal-Y-PenseNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, June 12, 1875
In Memoriam—Our Civil Service As It WasThomas Nast April 28, 1877
Jack-in-the-BoxThomas Nast January 3, 1863
King Andy Johnson: My Kingdom for a HorseThomas Nast 1868
Leaders of the Democratic PartyNast, Thomas, 1840-1902. 1868
Let Us Have Complete Restoration, While You Are About ItThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, December 28, 1872
Liberal Republicans SurrenderThomas Nast May 11, 1872
Liberal Thomas W. TiptonThomas Nast March 23, 1872
Death on EconomyThomas Nast December 29, 1877
Lightning Speed of HonestyThomas Nast (d. 1902) 1877
Manager LincolnThomas Nast January 31, 1863
Matched (?)Thomas Nast October 31, 1868
Merry Old Santa ClausThomas Nast January 1, 1881 · Harper's Weekly, p. 9
The Modern SamsonThomas Nast October 3, 1868
Monster Democratic Torch-Light Procession Passing Through Union Square, N.Y.C.Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1856
Two Editors at OddsThomas Nast May 4, 1872
Ignis FatuusThomas Nast February 2, 1878
Nast Asks PardonThomas Nast June 6, 1874
Mud on the White HouseThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, May 4, 1872
The Liberal TiptonThomas Nast March 23, 1872
"Let Us Clasp Hands Over the Bloody Chasm"Thomas Nast October 19, 1872
Southern JusticeThomas Nast March 23, 1867
A Group of Vultures Waiting for the Storm to "Blow Over" — "Let Us Prey"Harper & Brothers; illustration by Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, September 23, 1871
"The Brains" — Thomas Nast, 1871Harper & Brothers; illustration by Thomas Nast Published in Harper's Weekly, October 21, 1871
The Third-Term PanicThomas Nast November 7, 1874
Nathan Bedford ForrestThomas Nast September 5, 1868 · Harper's Weekly
On the MoveNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, March 22, 1879
Patience until the Indian is Civilised—so to speakNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, December 28, 1878
Peace Secure—Safe and ProtectedThomas Nast Published February 13, 1875, in Harper's Weekly
Policy: A Kick in the Right DirectionNast, Thomas, 1840-1902. May 8, 1875 · Harper's Weekly
President Lincoln Entering Richmond, April 4, 1865Thomas Nast Published c. February 24, 1866, Harper's Weekly
"Time Works Wonders"Thomas Nast April 9, 1870
Romish Politics — Anything to Beat GrantThomas Nast August 17, 1872
Santa Claus in CampThomas Nast , for Harper's Weekly January 3, 1863
Santa Claus on Stage, 1890Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Copyrighted October 30, 1889; published for the 1890 holiday season
Schurz and Sheridan and Red ManThomas Nast 1878
Schurz and Sumner CookingThomas Nast June 22, 1872
Mephistopheles at Work for Destruction: A Bid for the German VoteThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, March 9, 1872
Schurz and Trumbull as Richard III and GloucesterThomas Nast May 4, 1872
Schurz CarpenterThomas Nast January 25, 1879
Orders from SchurzThomas Nast February 28, 1880
Schurz ConspiratorsThomas Nast March 16, 1872
Schurz CorruptionThomas Nast January 26, 1878
Schurz Departing Interior DepartmentThomas Nast February 26, 1881
Schurz and the German VoteThomas Nast November 2, 1872
The Insult ReturnedThomas Nast Published Harper's Weekly, November 23, 1872
Carl's Boomerang: Schurz and the French Arms InvestigationThomas Nast May 11, 1872
Which Is the Better Able to Pocket the Other?Thomas Nast April 20, 1872
Schurz GermaniaThomas Nast March 23, 1872
Schurz & Gratz BrownThomas Nast November 15, 1873
Schurz Have Patience With IndiansThomas Nast December 28, 1878
(Lo) The (Poor) Indian BureauThomas Nast February 2, 1878
Carl Schurz in a Trash ReceptacleThomas Nast January 11, 1873
Schurz Played OutThomas Nast June 15, 1872
Schurz QuijoteThomas Nast April 6, 1872
Schurz & Reid DuetThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, July 29, 1876
Whose Funeral Is It?Thomas Nast March 20, 1875
Schurz Indian Bureau 2Thomas Nast March 30, 1878
Smell of TammanyThomas Nast November 2, 1872
Sumner LionThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, March 9, 1872
"The Brains" That Achieved the Tammany Victory at the Rochester Democratic ConventionNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1871
The Chicago Platform (1864)Thomas Nast October 15, 1864
The Chinese QuestionThomas Nast February 18, 1871
The Colored VolunteerNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1863
The Copperhead Party—In Favor of a Vigorous Prosecution of Peace!Thomas Nast February 28, 1863
The Crowning Insult to Him Who Occupies the Presidential ChairThomas Nast May 13, 1876
The Good (Pure White) ShepherdNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist April 3, 1875
The Ignorant Vote—Honors Are EasyNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, December 9, 1876
Liberty Is Not AnarchyThomas Nast September 4, 1886
The New Indian War: Now, No Sarcastic Innuendoes, But Let Us Have a Square FightNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, December 21, 1878
The Political Death of the Bogus CæsarThomas Nast March 13, 1869
Another Shot Heard Round the WorldThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, May 8, 1875
Thomas Nast, "Bottom Facts" (1876)Thomas Nast Published May 27, 1876, during the Grant administration corruption investigations
The New Orleans Convention or Massacre — Which Is the More Illegal?Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, September 8, 1866
Stone Walls Do Not a Prison MakeThomas Nast January 6, 1872
"A Truce — Not a Compromise"Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, February 17, 1877
Uncle Sam's Thanksgiving DinnerThomas Nast November 20, 1869
Unconditional Surrender GrantThomas Nast November 21, 1868
"Get Thee Behind Me, (Mrs.) Satan!"Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, February 17, 1872
Thomas Nast, American CartoonistPirie MacDonald Photographed 1902 by Pirie MacDonald
What a Trifle May Embroil Nations!Thomas Nast 1882
Bust-Length Portrait of Thomas NastThomas Nast c. 1888
The Pioneers of American CaricatureGrant Wright 1904
Thomas Nast, Photographer's PortraitNapoleon Sarony c. 1870
Portrait of Thomas Nast, Reproduced in *The History of the Nineteenth Century in Caricature*Maurice, Arthur Bartlett, 1873-1946;
Cooper, Frederic Taber, 1864-1937, joint Photograph reproduced in 1904 publication (Dodd, Mead & Co., New York)
Thomas Nast, American CartoonistFrazier 1896
No Rest for the Wicked — Sentenced to More Hard LaborNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, December 2, 1876
Thomas Nast, Portrayed by Napoleon SaronyNapoleon Sarony c. 1870
Portrait of Thomas NastMiscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress 1896
Making CapsNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1866
"Any Thing for Revenge!" — A La CommuneNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, July 27, 1872
"Don't let us have any more of this nonsense. It is a good trait to stand by one's friends; but —"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, July 18, 1874
"Help! Help!"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, March 1, 1884
New Year's in the North — Harper's Weekly Cover, January 2, 1864Bonner, John, 1828-1899;
Curtis, George William, 1824-1892;
Alden, Henry Mills, Published January 2, 1864, during the third year of the Civil War
New Year's Day in the SouthBonner, John, 1828-1899;
Curtis, George William, 1824-1892;
Alden, Henry Mills, Harper's Weekly, January 2, 1864
"What Are You Laughing At? To the Victor Belong the Spoils"Thomas Nast / Harper's Weekly Harper's Weekly, November 25, 1871
"Where Is the Enemy?" — A Plate of Civil War SketchesInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, April 2, 1864
'There Comes the Alabama' and Other Scenes — Thomas Nast Composite PlateInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, April 2, 1864
Abraham Lincoln, Our Martyred President — April 15, 1865Internet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, June 10, 1865
The Surrender of Gen. Lee and His Army to Lieut. Gen. GrantInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, May 20, 1865
'The Savior's Entry into Jerusalem' — Palm Sunday as Reconstruction AllegoryInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, May 20, 1865
'The Conquering Hero' — Ulysses S. Grant and the Union TriumphInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, June 24, 1865
Victory and DeathInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, c. June 1865
"Merry Christmas" — Harper's Weekly Holiday Plate, December 30, 1865Internet Archive Book Images Published December 30, 1865, Harper's Weekly
Our Watering-Places—Views at Long BranchInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, 26 August 1865
Christmas to All — Thomas Nast's Holiday Plate, Harper's WeeklyInternet Archive Book Images December 30, 1865
Long Branch—Seaside Life (after Thomas Nast)Internet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, c. August 1865
Merry Christmas to AllThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, December 29, 1865
Our Arms VictoriousInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, June 24, 1865
"Peace — Good Will Towards Men," Harper's Weekly, 1865Internet Archive Book Images 1865
"Peace — Good Will Towards Men," Harper's Weekly, July 8, 1865Internet Archive Book Images Published July 8, 1865, approximately three months after Appomattox
Amphitheatrum JohnsonianumInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, c. March–April 1867
A Negro Regiment in ActionThomas Nast / Harper's Weekly Harper's Weekly, March 14, 1863
A Night Scout in the Southwest – Surprise of an Outpost, and Survey of the Rebel GunsThomas Nast / Harper's Weekly Harper's Weekly, April 4, 1863
After the Battle — The Rebels in Possession of the FieldNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1862
CarpetbaggerThomas Nast 1872
Christmas Eve, 1863Thomas Nast / Harper's Weekly Published Harper's Weekly, January 3, 1863
Christmas EveThomas Nast Published Harper's Weekly, January 3, 1863
Church and State — No Union Upon Any TermsNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1871
Christmas EveNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Thomas Nast, 1889. Wood engraving.
Come One Come All, Free and EqualThomas Nast November 20, 1869
Compromise With the SouthThomas Nast September 3, 1864
Compromise with the South — Dedicated to the Chicago ConventionNast, Thomas, 1840-1902. Harper's Weekly, September 3, 1864
Conkling vs. TrumbullThomas Nast March 23, 1872
Andrew Johnson's ReconstructionThomas Nast September 1, 1866
Death at the Polls, and Free from "Federal Interference"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, October 18, 1879
EmancipationKing & Baird, engraver; Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist; Bott, S., publisher 1865. Wood engraving printed in black and rose. King & Baird, printers, Philadelphia; published by S. Bott, Philadelphia.
Emancipation of the Negroes – The Past and the FutureThomas Nast / Harper's Weekly Harper's Weekly, January 24, 1863
Franchise. And Not This Man?Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, August 5, 1865
General Sheridan Stands by His DispatchesThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, January 30, 1875
Grand Review of the Army of the PotomacThomas Nast / Harper's Weekly Published Harper's Weekly, October 10, 1863
Grand Masquerade Ball of the Arion Society at the Academy of Music, New YorkNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Published Harper's Weekly, 1867
'The War Is Over': National Thanksgiving, December 1865Internet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, December 9, 1865
Thanksgiving, 1865: Peace, Liberty, and PlentyInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, December 7, 1865
'Slavery Is Dead (?)'Bonner, John, 1828-1899;
Curtis, George William, 1824-1892;
Alden, Henry Mills, Harper's Weekly, January 12, 1867
We Accept the SituationThomas Nast
Non-authorship Flickr stream source info:
Internet Archive April 13, 1867
The Georgetown Election—The Negro at the Ballot-BoxInternet Archive Book Images 1867
Portrait of Thomas NastInternet Archive Book Images Harper's Weekly, c. 1867
InfanticideBonner, John, 1828-1899;
Curtis, George William, 1824-1892;
Alden, Henry Mills, Harper's Weekly, 1867 (catalog date; plate dated internally to that volume)
Liberty Is Not AnarchyNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1886
The Meeting of Nast and Watterson in Central JerseyNast, Thomas, 1840-1902 Harper's Weekly, c. 1870s (exact issue date unconfirmed)
Lady Columbia Shields GrantThomas Nast April 13, 1872
Nast's Portrait of "Dick" ConnollyUnknown author Unknown author Harper's Weekly, August 26, 1871
Peace Insecure—Afraid for Her LifeNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, February 13, 1875
Peace Secure — Safe and ProtectedNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist February 13, 1875
Pardon and FranchiseNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, August 5, 1865
Santa Claus in CampThomas Nast / Harper's Weekly January 3, 1863
Santa Claus in CampThomas Nast Published Harper's Weekly, January 3, 1863
Schurz and NyeThomas Nast March 23, 1872
Senatorial Round HouseThomas Nast (engraving) July 10, 1886
The British Lion DisarmedNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, August 1, 1868
The Cradle of Liberty in DangerNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1874
The European PlanNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, March 13, 1880
The Greek SlaveNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, April 16, 1870
The Emancipation of the Negroes, January, 1863 — The Past and the FutureNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1863
"The Insult Returned" (1872)Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, November 23, 1872
The Rebel Army Crossing the Fords of the Potomac for the Invasion of MarylandNast, Thomas September 27, 1862
The Same Ultramontane Cat All Over The WorldNast, Thomas, 1840-1902 Harper's Weekly, c. 1870s (exact issue date unconfirmed)
The Union as It WasThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, October 24, 1874
The Union As It Was / The Lost Cause, Worse Than SlaveryNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1874
The Whirligig of TimeThomas Nast February 20, 1875
The Tearful ConventionNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist September 29, 1866
The Usual Irish Way of Doing ThingsThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, September 2, 1871
This Little Boy Would Persist in Handling Books Above His Capacity / And This Was the Disastrous ResultNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1868
"This Little Boy Would Persist in Handling Books Above His Capacity"Andrew Johnson Harper's Weekly, 1868
Compromise—Indeed!Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, January 27, 1877
Tilden or BloodThomas Nast Harper's Weekly, February 17, 1877
Tilden's "Wolf at the Door, Gaunt and Hungry" — Don't Let Him InNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist 1876
Twenty Two Negro Prisoners Burned to DeathThomas Nast 1867
United States Sanitary Commission — "Our Heroines"Thomas Nast Harper's Weekly, April 9, 1864
"We Accept the Situation"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist April 13, 1867
"What a Fall Was There, My Countrymen!"Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, October 16, 1869
What the Colored Race Have to Be Thankful ForNast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Harper's Weekly, November 27, 1886
"Why We (Republicans) Laugh" — B. F. Butler and S. S. CoxThomas Nast circa 1880, wood engraving, Harper's Weekly, page 608
Thomas Nast Among His CaricaturesThomas Nast c. 1888
Portrait of Thomas NastThomas Nast ca. 1870–1880
Thomas Nast: Portrait PhotographThomas Nast After 1896
Thomas Nast, Photographer's PortraitMathew Benjamin Brady / Levin Corbin Handy c. 1860–1875
Thomas Nast, by John White Alexander, 1887John White Alexander Oil on canvas, 1887 · National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution (CC0)
"HERE!" (New Hampshire heard from.) The True "Military Ring."Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902, artist Published Harper's Weekly, March 10, 1872