“Back into Mufti” (November 11, 1923)
by John Scott Clubb (1875-1934)
14 x 18 in., ink on board
Coppola Collection

Clubb’s daily cartoons appeared on the editorial pages for 34 years. Clubb began his career in 1900 at The Rochester Herald where he stayed until 1926. From 1926 until his death in 1934, Clubb was a cartoonist at the Rochester Times-Union. His readership extended beyond the local area, and his cartoons were reproduced in magazines and newspapers nationwide.

The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch, was a failed coup by Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders in Munich, Bavaria, on 8–9 November 8-9, 1923. About 2000 Nazis marched on the Feldherrnhalle, in the city center, but were confronted by a police cordon. Hitler escaped immediate arrest and was spirited off to safety in the countryside. After two days, he was arrested and charged with treason.

On November 10, Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany ended his exile in the Netherlands and crossed back onto German soil. Dutch authorities had informed him that he would not be allowed to return to Holland as a refugee again. After Stresemann became chancellor in August 1923, Wilhelm was allowed to return after giving assurances that he would not engage in politics.

“Mufti” is plain or ordinary clothes, especially when worn by one who normally wears, or has long worn, a military or other uniform.

The putsch brought Hitler to the attention of the German nation for the first time and generated front-page headlines in newspapers around the world. His arrest was followed by a 24-day trial, which was widely publicized and gave him a platform to express his nationalist sentiments to the nation. Hitler was found guilty of treason and sentenced to five years in Landsberg Prison, where he dictated Mein Kampf. On 20 December 1924, having served only nine months, Hitler was released.