M-322: Dr. Allen B. and Helen S. Shopmaker American Political Collection

The Shopmaker Collection contains over three thousand items ranging from a George Washington token dated 1789 to buttons and textiles endorsing candidates in the 2008 election. The variety of objects reflects the changing tastes of the American public and the available production technologies, ranging from 19th century brass jewelry and clothing buttons embossed with candidate's names and party symbols to today's modern, mass-produced buttons, and from porcelain plates embellished with a portrait of First Lady Helen Taft to Nancy Reagan paper dolls. With artifacts representing nearly every American election, the Shopmaker Collection provides the viewer with a broad look at how candidates have used images, slogans and symbols to woo the public, and how the public has expressed its own, often outspoken, opinions on both individuals and issues.
St. Louis Mercantile Library Art Museum

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"Bet on Bush" Bubble Gum Cigar Set
Set of bubble gum cigars in red, white, and blue designed box (6.25" x 5.25" x 1.5") that features a black and white portrait of George H. W. Bush to promote Bush's 1988 presidential campaign. Produced by Swell Philadelphia Chewing Gum Corporation.
"Campaign '88, Dukakis For President" Cigarette Pack
Pack of cigarettes (3.5"x2.25"x.75") featuring a blue profile portrait of Michael Dukakis to promote his 1988 presidential candidacy. A red, white and blue stripe flows behind Dukakis’s head.
"Carpenters and Hillary" T-shirt
Blue cotton t-shirt with "Carpenters & Hilary 2016" in red, white, and blue using Clinton's signature arrow design on the chest. The back of the t-shirt has the same symbol with the words "Building a Strong America" in white. Produced and distributed by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
"Clinton for President" Bubble Gum Cigar
Bubble gum cigar with the words "Clinton For President" written on the wrapper in white. Produced by Swell Philadelphia Chewing Gum Corporation.
"Ford or Carter" Brochure
White paper brochure. The front is red with white text reading "Ford or Carter". Inside is a black and white picture of Ford. The next two pages contain red text with black headlines praising Ford and providing negative statements about Carter. The back reads "How do you choose?" and "Ford, He's making us proud again." This brochure was produced by "The President Ford Committee".
"Happy Days are Here Again" Shot Glass
Shot glass featuring a silhouette image of a donkey and the words "Happy Days Are Here."
"I Like Ike" Tie
Grey necktie with the words “I Like Ike” written in blue surrounded by a cluster of 5 stars. These motifs are repeated throughout the tie.
"I Like Kennedy" Cigar
Cigar with the words "I Like Kennedy" printed on the wrapper.
"Our Choice Cleve & Steve" Glass Bottle
Aqua glass, barrel-shaped bottle (5.5”x2.75”x1.5”) celebrating the election and inauguration of President Grover Cleveland and Vice President Adlai Stevenson in 1893. Text “Our Choice/Cleve & Steve/November 8th 92/March 4th 93” and jugate busts of Cleveland and Stevenson are on one side and a rooster – an early symbol of the Democratic party – on the other.
"Our Choice, Harding and Coolidge" Framed Decal
Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge Campaign window decal (10.5"x7") framed in ornate, oval, gold-tone wood frame.
"Queremos Al Presidente Johnson" Brochure
White paper brochure. The front has a black and white photograph of then-presidential candidate Lyndon B. Johnson over a red background. Above is white text reading "Queremos al Presidente Johnson" and below is black text reading "Porque Queremos la Paz y el Progreso Porque Queremos ir Adelante y no Atras". The text translates to read "We Want President Johnson Because We Want Peace and Progress Because We Want to go Forward and not Back". Inside are photos of Johnson and vice presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey with text in Spanish supporting Johnson's campaign. This brochure was made by the "All Americans Council".
"The Duke in '88" Bubble Gum Cigar
Bubble gum cigar with the words "The Duke in '88" written on the wrapper in white. Produced by Swell Philadelphia Chewing Gum Corporation.
"The New Deal" Franklin D. Roosevelt Mug
Ochre-colored barrel mug featuring a profile picture of Franklin D. Roosevelt in a shield. The text reads “The New Deal."
"Vote Democratic" Bookmark
White bookmark reading "Vote" in blue text and "Democratic" in vertical red text. Along the right and left sides are red and blue stripes split by three red stars. A blue outlined star is at the bottom below the letter "C".
"Wallace" Straw Hat
Adult size boater, a traditional straw hat with a flat brim and ribbon band, with a red, white and blue striped band and a striped pin with the word “Wallace” at the front of the hat.
"Win With Bush" Bubble Gum Cigar
Bubble gum cigar with the words "Win With Bush" written on the wrapper in white. Produced by Swell Philadelphia Chewing Gum Corporation.
"democracy: some assembly required" Bumper Sticker
3 3/4 inches by 11 inches unused white vinyl bumper sticker with blue and red writing. There are blue and red letters spelling "democracy: some assembly required". The "democracy" part is the only blue and has white starts inside the letters. At the bottom there are blue letters spelling "www.DemocracyCaravan.org 1-866-GOT-VOTE?".
Adlai E. Stevenson For Governor Button
7/8-inch round, pin back button with black and white portrait of Adlai E. Stevenson on a white background. The words "Adlai E. Stevenson For Governor" in black block text surround the portrait.
Bernie Sanders - Finally A Reason To Vote Sticker
A black and white photo of presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is overlaid over the American flag. Written in typewriter print to his left it reads "FINALLY A REASON TO VOTE". Overlaid over Bernie Sanders and the American flag are newspaper articles that reflect Sanders' campaign stances.
Blaine and Logan Medal
1-inch medal with jugate profile portraits of Republican president and vice president candidates for the 1884 Presidential election, James G. Blaine and John A. Logan facing each other surrounded by flags. Medal reverse reads "Republican Candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, 1884" framed by a laurel wreath. The medal has a circular hole at the upper edge.
Bush Bottled Root Beer
Bottled root beer with Republican elephant logo and "Bush" in blue. Produced by Fitz’s Bottling Company
Campaign '88 Cigarettes, Bet on Bush
Pack of cigarettes (3.5"x2.25"x.75") featuring a blue profile portrait of President George W. H. Bush to promote his 1988 presidential candidacy. A red and blue stripe flows behind Bush’s head.
Carson Bottled Root Beer
Bottled root beer with Democrat donkey logo and "Carson" in blue. Produced by Fitz’s Bottling Company
Clinton Bottled Root Beer
Bottled root beer with Democrat donkey logo and "Clinton" in blue. Produced by Fitz’s Bottling Company
Conspectus of the History of Political Parties and the Federal Government
Dark green hardcover book titled "Conspectus of History of Political Parties and the Federal Government" in gold text surrounded by engraved floral flourishes.
Cruz Bottled Root Beer
Bottled root beer with Republican elephant logo and "Cruz" in blue. Produced by Fitz’s Bottling Company.
Democratic Donkey Mug
Salmon-colored mug in the shape of a donkey with the letters "DEM" embossed along the rim of the mug on one side and the words "Carter Mondale" is embossed on the other side. The interior of the mug is white. Embossed on the bottom is "Frankoma U.S. Pat. DG05739."
Eisenhower Petition
Petition in support of Dwight D. Eisenhower, urging for his nomination for president at the 1952 Republican National Convention. In the upper left corner the is a red, white, and blue, striped circle with "We like Ike" printed in blue in the middle. At the top "Americans have faith in Dwight D. Eisenhower, We urge his nomination for President of the UNITED STATES at this Republican Convention. July, 1952" is printed in blue.

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