Beer stein commemorating Theodore Roosevelt's African safari, c. 1910. Glazed stoneware and pewter. No maker mark.
After leaving the White House in 1909, Roosevelt further burnished his reputation by going on a grand safari in Africa. His homecoming in 1910 prompted an outpouring of souvenirs, ranging from buttons and postcards, to novelties and bric-a-brac. The best TR homecoming piece, in the consensus of most specialists, is this massive 13-inch, 1 1/2 liter German beer stein.
Of tapered form, it depicts TR riding atop an elephant and repelling a lion's attack. Lions appear throughout the landscape, including the handle and lid finial. Other beasts are perched in the trees. There are three inscriptions in German. The one encircling the bottom translates to: "By Day and By Night, the Hunter Watches."
When these turn up at auction, they tend to have broken tops and other defects. The Frent example, which sold in 2019 for $1375 (Heritage 6199, Lot 36508), had a firing crack. This example is in mint condition, and would be a trophy in any TR collection. Truly spectacular!
