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
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.
Fair Play and A Square Deal Ribbon
White ribbon with blue text reading "Fair Play and A Square Deal." Beneath the text is a depiction of a button with an image of presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt and blue ribbons hanging down. The white text on the ribbons reads "Republican Ticket 1906." Below the button is blue text reading "Vote For Magistrate Charles P. Rooney and The Whole Republican Ticket" inside an ornate frame.
GOP Elephant Pin
Metal pin in the shape of an elephant with cloth draped over its back that reads, "GOP."
GOP National Convention 1960 Ribbon
White ribbon with golden ribbon badge reading "Illinois" in blue text. The ribbon reads "1960 GOP National Convention, Chicago, Illinois," also in blue text. The circular medal hanging from the ribbon depicts a profile image of former President Abraham Lincoln.
Goldwater Glasses Order Card
Printed order form from HRB Suppliers for "Goldwater Glasses."
Honesty, Integrity Elephant Coin
Gold coin with face of an elephant and reads, "Honesty, Integrity." Reverse of coin features the backside of a donkey and reads, "Mink, 5%, Deep Freeze, Tax Scandal" used in opposition to the Harry S. Truman administration.
Jackson Centennial Celebration Token
1 and 1/2-inch bronze token with low relief portrait of Andrew Jackson and featuring Captain Alex Laverty, Horace Blackman and Indian guide Pe-wy-tum shown standing in front of a landscape featuring the Grand River. Token commemorates the 100th anniversary of Jackson, Michigan and the birthplace of the Republican party. The reverse of the token has a profile portrait of Abraham Lincoln flanked by the American flag and the Michigan flag. Underneath the small portrait are the words "Jackson, Michigan. Here under the oaks July 6th 1854 was born the Republican Party destined in the throes of civil strife to abolish slavery, vindicate democracy and perpetuate the union" in low relief.
McKinley and Hobart Ribbon
Yellow ribbon with black text reading "McKinley and Hobart and the whole Republican Ticket." Beneath this is a portrait of congressional candidate Thomas S. Butler. The bottom of the ribbon reads "Thomas S. Butler and Better Times."
Protect the Future of America Card
White card with brown print. At the top "Protect the Future of America" is printed. Below are instructions to "Place an x opposite each name" and the header "Republican Ticket". Below is a list of Republican Party candidates and their respective offices. At the bottom is text reading "This is Your guide to good government. Carry it until you vote."
Republican National Convention 1896 - Souvenir Medal
Red, white, and blue ribbon with golden ribbon badge reading "Souvenir". Gold text reading "Patriotism Protection Prosperity" is printed on the ribbon, with all three words sharing a large "P". The medal hanging from the ribbon depicts a profiled portrait of presidential candidate William McKinley with the text "Protection '96 William McKinley" along the border. The back of the medal depicts a landscape with the sun behind a mountain range. In the foreground is a bundle of wheat and a bundle of arrows in an open field. Within the border is text reading "St. Louis Convention June 16, 1896."
Republican National Convention 1968 - Platform Hearings Ticket
White paper ticket labeled "Republican National Convention Committee on Resolutions Platform Hearings Session Number One". At the center left is an embossed and printed image of an elephant standing on hind legs and surrounded by laurels. The words "National Republican Convention" surround the top of the elephant and are separated by stars. "1968" is printed below the elephant. "Dulaney-Vernay INC." is printed on the back of the ticket.
Republican Party, District Attorney John C. Bell Ribbon
Ribbon promoting the Republican ticket for various city positions in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Below the black and white image of district attorney hopeful John C. Bell is a color depiction of then President Theodore Roosevelt riding in a horse drawn chariot with workers in the foreground cheering. The words "Protection, Sound Money, Prosperity" are on a drawn ribbon beside the workers, making reference to Roosevelt and William McKinley's platform during the 1900 presidential campaign.
Republican State Convention Coin
Circular medal with oval portraits of presidential candidate William McKinley and vice presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt. Above the portraits is an American eagle with wings spread. Below the portraits is a shield with flag motif surrounded by the words "Aug. 8th 1900." The border of the medal reads "Republican State Convention Milwaukee, Wisconsin," while the opposite side depicts part of the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin.
Republican State Convention, Delegate Ribbon
Convention button with an image of presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt. The red, white, and blue ribbon hanging from the button reads "Delegate, Republican State Convention, Jefferson City, MO, June 24, 1902."
Republican Ticket Ribbon
White ribbon with "Republican Ticket" printed vertically. At the top is a pin-back button with a picture of then presidential candidate William Howard Taft looking to his left. At the bottom of the ribbon is the logo for "Union Label".
Republicans Really Care Flyer
Flyer on white paper with red and blue print. At the top is a headline in blue text reading "Republicans Really Care Vote Republican!". Below is a slate of Republican candidates in Lake County, Ohio, with each candidate's name listed below their respective office and/or district. At the top of the slate is the header "For President Richard M. Nixon For Vice President Spiro T. Agnew". The slate of candidates is bordered by a red box broken at the top left by an image of a waving American flag. Below the box is text reading "Issued by Lake County Republican Organization".
Taft Watch Fob
Metal watch fob with four separate two-sided medals linked by rings, each with an embossed image and/or text. The medal closest to the clasp features an image of crossed American flags on one side, and an image of an elephant with the letters "G.O.P." on the reverse. The second medal has text reading "Look at the doughnut not the hole" and "Compliments of Judge Co. Copyrighted Judge Co. 1908" arched around a depressed doughnut shape; text within the doughnut reads "BIG CROPS Great Natural Resources" and text inside the doughnut's hole reads "Business Depression". The reverse of this medal depicts a row of soldiers with text reading "Regular army should be increased". The third medal has an image of a battleship at sea with text reading "Upbuilding of Navy must be continued"; the reverse depicts former president Theodore Roosevelt in military uniform playing a drum with text reading "Use T.R.'s nerve tonic for business troubles". The fourth medal features on both sides a low-relief image of presidential candidate William Howard Taft with text above reading "For President" flanked by three stars to the left and right.
Things Look Better Already; Goldwater for President Cardboard Glasses
Gold-toned cardboard cut to the shape of eye glasses with black text reading "Goldwater for President" on each temple, "Things Look Better Already" across the top center, and "Vote G.O.P." on the bottom of the frames. Across the top of the frame is a line drawing of a smiling elephant with its trunk and tail wrapped around the glasses.

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