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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"A Clean Sweep" Button
Button with an image of a rooster with a broom. Surrounding the rooster, text reads "A CLEAN SWEEP". The rooster references the former symbol of the Democratic Party.
"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 Kennedy" Cigar
Cigar with the words "I Like Kennedy" printed on the wrapper.
"Souvenir Folder of McKinley's Birthplace, Niles, Ohio." Postcards
Envelope containing a collection of nine doublesided full-color postcards that fold out accordian style. The front of the envelope has text in black and red that reads "SOUVENIR FOLDER of McKINLEY'S BIRTHPLACE NILES, OHIO." The front of the envelope features a portrait of William McKinley along with a picture of a statue of McKinley. Subjects include monuments and buildings named for McKinley, and buildings and business in Niles, Ohio. The location pictured is identified in a label below the image.
"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 Great Society" Comic Book
10 inches by 7 inches comic book with the title "THE GREAT SOCIETY COMIC BOOK". The cover has a caricature of Lyndon B. Johnson as a superhero named "SuperLBJ". The comic book was made by Parallax Comic Books and Pocket Books. It was written by D.J. Arneson and illustrated by Tony Tallarico. The comic book has Lyndon B. Johnson, members of his cabinet and famous political figures in a superhero story as fictional heroes or villains. The heroes are a part of the GREAT Society "The Group Resigned to End All Threats". The story is about a missing SuperLBJ and members of the GREAT Society must find him on their own adventures. However, they all fail while SuperLBJ breaks free from being captive and rescues all the other heroes and beats all the villains.
"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."
"To Men and Women Who Have Served" Leaflet
9 5/16 inches by 3 13/16 inches white leaflet with black writing. At the top of the front page there are black letters spelling “TO MEN and WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED". In the middle of the front page there is a photo of Alf Landon. Alongside the right hand side of both the front and back there are black stars. Beginning on the front and continuing onto the back, Alf Landon discusses the character of soldiers in times of war representing the best of America but also the need to carry that into times of peace as well. At the bottom of the back page there are black letters spelling "REPUBLICAN SERVICE LEAGUE 920 McCormick Bldg., Chicago". Union imprint on the bottom left of the back page.
"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".
11th APIC National Convention Program
8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches white program with red writing and blue images. The top portion of the cover has stylized red letters spelling "Welcome to Chicago". In the middle there are blue images of campaign buttons for Mayor of Chicago from Daley, Harold Washington, and Jane Byrne. Above the images are red letters spelling "Republican Stronghold from the Lincoln elections to 1931... Bastion of Democratic power ever since". Below the images are red letters spelling "ELEVENTH APIC NATIONAL CONVENTION Sheraton O'Hare Hotel, August 11-13, 1983". The contents of the program provide brief political history of Chicago, especially about the mayors, names of the officers of APIC and the schedule of the convention.
23rd President U.S.A., Benjamin Harrison Token
1-inch copper token with low-relief profile portrait of Benjamin Harrison. The words "23rd President U.S.A. 1889 - 1893" are in low-relief block letters above the portrait and "Benjamin Harrison" is in block letters below it. On the reverse of the token in low-relief block letters is extensive text about his career that begins with "Backbone Ben, Son of his Grandfather."
A March to Eisenhower Sheet Music
11 15/16 inches by 8 7/8 inches white music sheet with cover page. The cover page is white with blue and red letters. At the top is blue letters spelling "A MARCH TO EISENHOWER". Beneath the title are blue letters spelling "WORDS BY HIRAM D. HIRSH MUSIC BY JEWEL M. FRANK". There is an American flag on a pole in the center of the page. Next to the flag are red letters spelling "Souvenir of Inauguration 1953". Below the flag is a photograph of Dwight D. Eisenhower. In the background of the cover page is a sketch of the White House. The two inside pages are white with black writing and feature the music and lyrics.
AL Button
Button in the shape of a derby (bowler) hat reading "AL." The hat references presidential candidate Alfred E. Smith's iconic derby hat that he wore during his time as the Governor of New York State.
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.
American Journey, Colin Powell Button
Yellow button with a red border reading "American Journey Colin Powell" in white lettering. The border also reads "SF '95" in red. The center of the button has a color, photographic portrait of proposed vice presidential candidate Colin Powell.
Automatic Voting Machine Matchbook Cover
Matchbook cover advertising Automatic Voting Machines of Jamestown, N.Y. The front cover is metallic silver with a three-color printed photo showing a hand pointing to a switch. Black text above the photo reads "AUTOMATIC VOTING MACHINE Jamestown, N.Y.". Text below the photo reads "BUILDERS OF VOTING MACHINES SINCE 1896" and below, "CLOSE COVER BEFORE STRIKING MATCH". The back of the cover has a three-color printed photo of a woman exiting the automatic voting machine booth. Text below reads "Made in U.S.A. THE DIAMOND MATCH CO. N.Y.C.". Text on the inside of the cover is headlines "Advantages of Jamestown Automatic Voting Machines" above a numbered list of seven advantages.
Barack Obama: Eight Years Magazine
10 7/8 inches by 8 inches grey Time Magazine special edition titled in white and black letters "Barack Obama: Eight Years". In the top left corner there are red and black letters spelling "TIME SPECIAL EDITION". The front cover is mostly taken up by a photograph of Barack Obama. The magazine is divided into three sections "A Distinctive Agenda", History in the Making", and Beyond the White House". There are 96 pages. The back cover has a photograph of President Obama in the Oval Office at his desk talking of the phone.
Bush Bottled Root Beer
Bottled root beer with Republican elephant logo and "Bush" in blue. Produced by Fitz’s Bottling Company
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.
Cynthia E. Barns Letter
Envelope addressed to Mrs. Cynthia E. Barns of Washington, New Hampshire. In the upper left hand corner is a drawing of Ulysses S. Grant surrounded by a laurel wreath. Under Grant are two American flags. Beneath the picture is text reading "We'll fight it out on this line if it takes all summer". On the back of the envelope, "1869" is written in pen.
Eisenhower Cartoon Book
8 7/8 inches by 7 inches cartoon book about Dwight D. Eisenhower. The cover is red and blue with white letters spelling "PRESIDENT EISENHOWER'S CARTOON BOOK 95 specially drawn cartoons by 95 of America's most distinguished cartoonists with a foreword by GEORGE M. HUMPHREY, Secretary of the Treasury". There is also a cartoon of Eisenhower's head on the cover to the left of the writing and seven gold stars line the bottom of the cover. The book is made up of cartoons that were presented to Eisenhower when he became an honorary member of the National Cartoonist Society. The book was made to help save government savings bonds. The pages usually feature one piece of art and a short biography of the artist while some have three on one page.
FDR Look 'n See Card
3 inch by 2 inch trading card portraying a cartoon image of President Franklin D. Rosevelt with a cigarette holder in his mouth in front of an American flag. A box at the bottom contains text reading "Franklin D. roosevelt Pres. U.S. 1933-1945". The reverse is red-orange with white text headlined "Franklin D Roosevelt No. 2 of 9 Presidents" above a brief biography of Roosevelt. Below is text reading "Look 'n See", above a box at the bottom containing text reading "How many times was Franklin D. Roosevelt elected president?" Placing red paper over the card would reveal the answer to the trivia question. Small text along the bottom reads "Printed in U.S.A."
First Family Paper Dolls
Book of cut out paper dolls of the first family, the Reagans. The book includes 4 dolls, various outfits and accessories for each doll.
First President U.S.A., George Washington Token
1-inch copper token with profile portrait of George Washington and "1789 1st President U.S.A., George Washington 1797" in low relief surrounding the portrait. Reverse of token is identical to the front.
For Governor, Martin G. Brumbaugh Button
7/8-inch round, pin back button with a black and white portrait of Martin G. Brumbaugh over a flag-motif shield on a blue background. The rim of the button is lined in gold. The words "For Governor, Martin G. Brumbaugh" in gold block letters surround the image. Reverse has paper label for A. J. Keil Co (Philadelphia, Pa.)

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