Self-portrait of Joseph Ferdinand Keppler [Source: A selection of cartoons from Puck by Keppler, Joseph]

Puck Magazine (1876-1918) was founded in 1876 by Joseph Keppler, an Austrian-born cartoonist. It was the first successful humor magazine in the United States that used cartoons and political satire to highlight political issues. Puck gained popularity for its witty and satirical cartoons and was the first to publish weekly cartoons using chromolithography instead of wood engraving. This allowed them to print three cartoons in each issue rather than just one. The magazine criticized politicians and tackled many of the nation’s political and social issues. The humorous element and the colorful images of Puck cartoons attracted a large audience across the country, at its peak selling over 80,000 copies a week. Before Puck, cartoons were in black and white and often projected calm and composed political messages, like those of Nast and Punch. Keppler, however, was a satirist and believed in communicating bold messages.