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
"Happy Days are Here Again" Shot Glass
Shot glass featuring a silhouette image of a donkey and the words "Happy Days Are Here."
Democratic National Convention 1916 - Guest's Ticket
Admission ticket reading "1916 Democratic National Convention Guest's Ticket." Sketched images of the United States Captiol Building and the Saint Louis, Missouri riverfront and bridges are shown flanking a sketch of former President Thomas Jefferson. On the opposite side of the ticket is a sketched image of King Louis IX, namesake of Saint Louis, on horseback.
Democratic National Convention 1916 - Messenger Ribbon
Ribbon with ribbon badge reading "Messenger". The medal hanging from the ribbon has an oval image of the Missouri state capital building surrounded by the words "Democratic National Convention St. Louis." Beneath the image is the American eagle standing on a shield flanked by laurel branches.
Democratic National Convention 1916 - Messenger Ticket
Admission ticket reading "Messenger Democratic National Convention." The ticket has a place to fill in the recipient's name, as well as a depiction of former President Thomas Jefferson. The opposite side of the ticket shows a sketched image of King Louis IX, namesake of Saint Louis, on horseback.
Democratic National Convention 1924 - Active Press Ticket
Green admission ticket reading "Democratic National Convention New York, June 24th Active Press." There is an oval portrait of former President Thomas Jefferson flanked by branches on the left side of the ticket and the United States Capitol in the center. The back of the ticket has the seal of New York State.
Democratic National Convention 1952 - Guest Ticket
Guest admission ticket for the 1952 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The front of the ticket has a sketch of former President Thomas Jefferson with a quote reading "The last hope of human liberty in this world rests with us." The opposite side of the ticket has the Great Seal of the United States.
Democratic National Convention 1956 - Alternate Ribbon
Red, white, and blue striped ribbon with ribbon badge depicting an American Eagle sitting atop a banner flanked by two American flags. The banner reads "Alternate Democratic National Convention 1956." A medal hanging from the ribbon reads "Chicago" and depicts the skyline of Chicago, Illinois with a large star in the sky. Beneath this image is a balancing scale surrounded by an airplane, train, and covered wagon.
Democratic National Convention 1964 - Delegate Ribbon
Red, white, and blue striped ribbon with ribbon badge depicting an American eagle sitting atop a banner flanked by two American flags. The banner reads "Delegate Democratic National Convention 1964." A medal hanging from the ribbon reads "Atlantic City" and depicts the facade of Boardwalk Hall. Beneath the image is a large star surrounded by an airplane in flight and a cart from the Atlantic City boardwalk.
Harper's Magazine - Political Developments of 1864
Article in "Harper's Weekly" depicting "Political Developments Of 1864". On page 667 the happenings of August 1864 are recorded. A large portion is dedicated to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and then-governor of New York Horatio Seymour serving as president of the convention. Page 668 is headlines "Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War [September, 1864." The top half of the page contains a drawing of an army camp with soldiers lining up to a table covered in an American flag. The caption reads "Soldiers voting for president." The paragraphs below describe former General George B. McClellan's selection as the Democratic nominee for president in 1864.
Newsweek Democratic Convention Scorecard
10 7/8 inches by 13 1/2 inches cardboard card with rounded corners. At the top of the sign is red lettering that reads, "Newsweek". Below is a red bracket with black lettering inside that reads, "know the POLITICAL SCORE read NEWSWEEK". On the back of the sign is black lettering that reads, "Newsweek's DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION SCORE CARD". The majority of the back is taken up by a large graph, with labels across the top reading, "1st BALLOT", "2nd BALLOT", "3rd BALLOT", and, "4th BALLOT"; each section is subdivided into columns for each candidate (Stevenson, Harriman, Symington, and Johnson) . The left side has a label for each state reading, "ALABAMA", "ARIZONA", "ARKANSAS", etc. Much of the 1st and 2nd ballot sections are filled out in pencil and pen, tracking delegates from various states that had voted for various candidates.
Newsweek's Democratic Convention Score Card
Newsweek paper score card with votes tallied for the 1956 Democratic presidential candidates.
Vote Art Poster
11 inches by 17 inches poster with an orange background featuring a stylized image of Grant Wood's painting American Gothic but with the two figures wearing "I VOTED" buttons. Underneath the image of the painting are the words "AMERICANS FAVOR CANDIDATES WHO SUPPORT DOUBLING FEDERAL ARTS FUNDING TO $1 PER CAPITA.", "An overwhelming majority of Americans see the arts as important to improving education, quality of life, and the economy. People who participate in the arts are also more likely to vote.", "LISTEN. REFLECT. CHOOSE. VOTE ART." Below this are the dates and locations for the 2016 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. The lettering is white except for the dates, which are in yellow. The bottom of the poster features a white stripe with the logos for Americans for the Arts ACTION Fund and AMERICANS for the ARTS, along with where to get further information.

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