Presidential

All politics is local: 1828 Anti-Jackson Campaign Broadside

(Election of 1828) Rare Broadside, 12 3/8 x 10 3/4 in., “To the honest and well meaning friends of Gen. Jackson” ([Bath, N.Y.?, 1828]). A fascinating political broadside specifically attacking John Magee (1794-1868), a prominent Jacksonian in Steuben County first elected to Congress in 1826 after a successful stint as sheriff.

The broadside accuses Magee of publishing a broadside advocating a pro-southern, anti-tariff message—part of a blistering series of attacks orchestrated by his political opponents. It reads, in part: “John Magee, & Co. have lately issued a scurrilous handbill, wherein they take the liberty of abusing Gen. McClure, H. Wells, Z. A. Leland, Esqrs. Judges Steele and Knox, together with many others…” The broadside’s anonymous authors then move on to character assassination accusing Magee of abandoning the interests of his constituents accusing him of being unqualified for his high office: “Who is John Magee? … He is a man alike destitute of talents and education, we mean such talents as are the indispensable requisites of a member of Congress; yet at a single leap he arrived at the Capitol of the nation!!! For this we do not pretend to blame him, but we blame him for abandoning the interests of his constituents, in becoming the disciple of John Randolph & Co. The champion of Roanoke is truly and accomplished artist in the manufacture of dough faces, if we judge from the specimen now before us… It is no uncommon occurrence for Mr. Magee to abuse even some men of his own party when they refuse to be dictated by him, in proof of this we have only to refer you to John R. Gansevoort, Elisha Hanks, C.P. Fulton and many more of the same party. But we have done with this subject, and will only say that if Mr. Magee should be Elected it will not be by the votes of the THIRTY-SIX EDITORS.”

The 36 editors notwithstanding, Magee defeated his Democratic opponent, Timothy H. Porter—5,390 to 4,382. Jackson fared similarly in Steuben County.¹ According to a memorial biography of Magee, President Jackson “regarded him as a man of extraordinary sagacity and soundness of judgement, and made him his confidential friend and adviser. He often consulted him upon important questions, and offered him a seat in his Cabinet, which Mr. Magee, however, declined,— preferring, as he did, the greater freedom of action, and the more favorable opportunity for attention to his own private business…”²

Rare. We have been able to source one extant example at the American Antiquarian Society. OCLC 438094359. Not in Shaw-Shoemaker.

Rough at margins, light foxing and creases, ink docket on verso bleeds through to recto but not obscuring text, else very good.

(EXA 4487) $2,000

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¹ Albany Argus, 16 December 1828, 2; National Advocate (New York), November 29, 1828, 2.

² F. S. Howe, Memorial of John Magee… (New York: Charles Scribner & Company, 1870), 26.

1832 Andrew Jackson Campaign Broadside

(Andrew Jackson) Broadside, 9 3/4 x 10 1/2 in. (sight), for “JACKSON Republican Meeting”. ROME, [N.Y.], 1 November, 1832. “The Republican Electors of the town of Rome, friendly to the re-election of GEN. ANDREW JACKSON, and the present General and State Administration are requested to meet at the House of Thomas Ford, this afternoon, at 5 o’clock. A general attendance is requested.”

A long list of names appears below the exhortation to attend, attesting to the growing strength of the Jacksonian Democrats in Oneida County, New York. In the general election held the following Tuesday, Jackson won the county. (John Quincy Adams enjoyed a plurality in the county in 1828.)¹

Light soiling and folds, else fine. Matted and framed. Not examined out of frame.

(EXA 4494) $2,750

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¹ See county-by-county election result maps courtesy of the Minnesota Population Center. National Historical Geographic Information System: Version 2.0. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota (1828 and 1832).

Broadside for the Garfield and Arthur Club

(Election of 1880) Broadside, 11 3/4 x 18 1/2 in. (sight), “NOTICE! — A Meeting of the Garfield and Arthur Club. OF DOYLESOWN, WILL BE HELD AT THE CLUB ROOM, ON FRIDAY EVENING, OCT. 22d, AT 7.30 O’CLOCK. PUNCTUAL ATTENDANCE IS REQUESTED. BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT.” (n.p., likley Ohio, Pennsylvania, [1880].) A simple yet graphic exhortation to attend a political meeting less than two weeks before the election. The Garfield-Arthur ticket prevailed in both Pennsylvania and Ohio in an extremely close election. Overall Garfield won the popular vote by a margin of less than 2000 votes.

Folds, some ink erosion to several letters not detracting greatly, several minor holes toward margins, mild ink transfer toward lower end, else very good. Matted and framed. Not examined out of frame.

(EXA 4495) $850

Rail excursions to the 1892 Republican Convention

(Election of 1892) Broadside, 16 x 5 1/2 in., headed “Which Will It Be?” issued by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, (Chicago: Rand, McNally & Co., [1892]).

An excellent three color poster bearing the portraits of Republican hopefuls James G. Blaine, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Russell A. Alger, and Chauncey M. Depew advertising special fares to attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Interestingly of the hopefuls illustrated, Blaine’s portrait is the largest. This may have been an effort to generate excitement over the prospect of a party rebellion against the incumbent, Benjamin Harrison. Blaine had resigned his post as Secretary of State only days before the convention. While his motives were uncertain, some elements of the party supported his running for the White House one last time (and perhaps some on the railroad’s board supported Blaine). For Blaine it was too late: he lost in a landslide to Harrison at the convention. Harrison won 535 votes, while Blaine tied future president William McKinley, with 182.

Overall quite clean. Neatly hinged to an archival mat and ready for display.

(EXA 4293) $325

Uriah Tracy’s Senate speech opposing the 12th Amendment

(First Party System: Twelfth Amendment) “Mr. TRACY’s SPEECH IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1803. ON THE PASSAGE OF THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION…” ([Washington: 1803]), 24pp., 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. string bound. Volume includes the text of the proposed amendment, Uriah Tracy’s lengthy address to the Senate opposing its passage and the record of the vote in favor.

Uriah Tracy (1755 – 1807), a staunch Massachusetts Federalist, delivered a lengthy address opposing the passage of the amendment designed to prevent the confusion of the presidential elections of 1796 and 1800. In the first instance, while Electors overwhelmingly elected John Adams President, his political nemesis Thomas Jefferson, was elected Vice President as he came in second place. In 1800 it was a tie between Burr and Jefferson, landing the decision in the House of Representatives.

Primarily Tracy believed that requiring electors to make a distinct choice for President and for Vice President would weaken the influence of smaller states: shifting the balance of power between the states and the federal government: “I shall attempt to prove, sir, that the resolution before us, contains principles which have a manifest tendency to deprive the small states of an important right, secured to them by a solemn and constitutional compact, and to vest an overwhelming power in the great states. And, further, I shall attempt to show, that in many other points the resolution is objectionable, and for a variety of causes, ought not to be adopted.” Tracy wonders aloud at one point that the concept of states rights was breaking down completely: “And is this resolution a precursor to a complete consolidation of the union, and to the establishment of a simple republic? –Or will it suffice to break down every federative feature which secures to one portion of the union, to the small states, their rights?”

Tracy dove into a litany of other reasons the amendment should be rejected including this very interesting observation: “The manner of electing the Vice-President, as proposed by the amendment … exposes us to the selection of a less important, and more unfit person , than the constitutional provision…” As John Adams observed during his eight long years in the Vice Presidency: “My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.” Logically Tracy concluded that no fit person would ever aspire to such an insignificant office. Much more fine content for the student of the first party system.

Shaw Shoemaker 5387; Sabin 96420.

Light horizontal creases, light toning and dampstains, else very good.

(EXA 4089) $475

1880 Presidential campaign bandana with portraits of James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur

(James GARFIELD) A cotton bandana, 18 3/4 x 18 3/4, bearing the portraits of James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur manufactured for the 1880 presidential campaign.

A few very minor soiled spots, expected folds, else quite clean and in fine condition.

(EXA 3909) $350

Pewter snuff box with embossed log cabin on cover, symbol of William Henry Harrison’s campaign

(William Henry HARRISON) A pewter snuff box, 3 1/4 x 2 in. with the immortal symbol of Harrison’s campaign embossed on the cover: the log cabin, and (of course) hard cider.

Some scratching and expected wear, overall very good.

(EXA 4326) $600

Herbert Hoover photograph signed as President with Greek-American leaders

Herbert HOOVER (1874 – 1964) Photograph Signed “Herbert Hoover” as President on a 10 1/4 x 14 in. black and white photograph by C. O. Buckingham Co., Washington. Hoover poses at the White House with six Greek-American leaders (most of whom appear to be members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPAN), all of whom sign below their portrait including: Andrew JARVIS (1890 – 1990) Greek-American politician and restaurateur; C. R. NIXON(?-?) a state legislator from Tulsa, Oklahoma; Peter G. SIKOKIS (1893 – 1959) Greek-American, president of the Confectioner’s Buying Association. We have been unable to identify the other three individuals pictured.

Signatures somewhat light, but still legible, very minor wear and silvering at edges, else fine condition.

(EXA 3885) $750

Andrew Jackson signed four-language ship’s paper

Andrew JACKSON (1767 – 1845) President. Partly-printed Document Signed “Andrew Jackson” as President, 1p. 16 1/4 x 20 in. Boston, 1 July 1836, a four-language ship’s paperfor the Brig Congress, commanded by J. G. Town “lying at present in the port of Boston bound for Calcutta and laden with Merchandize…” The document printed in Spanish, French, English, and Dutch is countersigned by Secretary of State John FORSYTH (1780 – 1841) and bears very clean paper seals of the United States.

Matted and framed with a portrait of Jackson.

A few minor separations on expected folds and a few minor holes not affecting text, else fine condition.

(EXA 4052) $2,250

Proof copy of John Sartain’s engraving of E.D. Merchant’s portrait of Abraham Lincoln

(Abraham LINCOLN) A spectacular proof copy of John Sartain’s engraving of E. D. Merchant’s portrait, “ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” accomplished “at the White House in 1863, and now in the Possession of the Union League of Philadelphia.” (Philadelphia: Bradley & Co. Publishers, 1864), 13 x 10 in. on a 19 1/2 x 15 in. sheet. With full facsimile signature in titling below.

Some surface abrasions, else very good with superb contrast and detail.

(EXA 3896) $750

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