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
Champ Clark for President Button
7/8-inch, white, pin back button which reads "Clark For President" in blue lettering for Champ Clark's 1912 presidential campaign. Reverse has label for St. Louis Button Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
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.
Eugene McCarthy "A Portrait of a Leader In His Own Words" Brochure
Foldout brochure promoting then presidential candidate Senator Eugene J. McCarthy. The front reads "Portrait of a Leader in His Own Words" and has a quote from Adlai E. Stevenson. Above is a black and white photograph of McCarthy. Marked over the bottom of the photo is a small stamp from the local campaign office reading "McCarthy for President 7727 Clayton Road St. Louis, Mo. 63117 Tel. VO 2-4420 (314)". Inside the brochure is a black and white photo of McCarthy greeting a crowd, and lengthy text describing McCarthy's campaign platform and biography. The text is divided into various sections headlined, respectively, "America's Greatest Need", "New Rights for All Americans", "The Role of the Presidency-to Unite This Nation", and "The War in Vietnam". On the back is a photo of McCarthy alongside his wife Abigail their four children. Below is a short biography of McCarthy. Text at the bottom reads "McCARTHY FOR PRESIDENT NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 815 7th St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006".
Hoover Castle Button
7/8-inch, pin back button featuring a gold castle with "Hoover" written across it in blue. Reverse has paper label for St. Louis Button Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Hoover For President Button
7/8-inch, white, pin back button featuring blue monochromatic portrait of President Herbert Hoover with the words "Hoover for President" written in blue, used in promotion of Hoover's 1928 presidential campaign. Reverse has paperback label for Saint Louis Button Company (Saint Louis, Mo.)
Mrs. Gen. Grant Carte-de-Viste
Sepia photograph of Mrs. Gen. Grant. Image is of her seated looking towards her right. Pencil inscription on reverse reads "Mrs gen grant".
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."
Richard Nixon Motorcade St. Louis
8 inches by 5 1/2 inches white handbill with black writing and a map of downtown St. Louis. The top third of the handbill has black letters spelling "GREET PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON And MRS. RICHARD NIXON In St. Louis, Thursday, June 25 - 10:30 A.M. Motorcade Route West on Market St. From 3rd St. to 15th St.” A map of downtown of St. Louis from Chouteau to Delmar and from the river to 15th. The map contains the route of Nixon's motorcade from the Gateway Arch to Kiel Auditorium. Below the map is black letters spelling "VIEWING AREA ON EITHER SIDE OF MARKET STREET BETWEEN 3rd STREET AND 15th STREET". Lithographers & Photoengravers International Union imprint bottom right corner.
Theodore Roosevelt "Our President" Button
7/8-inch round, pin back button with black and white portrait of Theodore Roosevelt with a gold border, red and white stripes to the left and right, and four stars on blue above and below the image. Button has paper label on reverse for Scruggs, Vandervoort & Barney, St. Louis.
Vote Tuesday Door Hang
5 1/2 inches by 17 inches blue door hanger. At the top in white letters are the words "ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA" next to the Obama campaign logo in white. Below this are the words "VOTE TUESDAY" and "NOVEMBER 6TH FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA". Below this is a picture of President Barack Obama waving. At the bottom of the door hanger is white and navy blue lettering that reads, "POLLS ARE OPEN" and "6:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M." Below is a white rectangle with navy blue and blue lettering that reads, "VOTE.BARACKOBAMA.COM" and "1-855-MO2-VOTE (1-855-662-8683)". Adhered to the top of the door hang is a red, white, and blue, "I VOTED" sticker. On the back of the door hang is navy blue and white lettering that reads, "VOTE FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA & VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN", "VOTE FOR U.S. SENTATOR CLAIRE McCASKILL", and, "VOTE FOR GOVERNOR JAY NIXON". Below each set of lettering is an image of the person named. Below is white and black lettering reading, "YOU WILL VOTE HERE" and "Bel-Nor Village Hall 6416 Natural Bridge Rd. Nor.015". At the bottom of the door hang is grey and blue lettering that reads, "VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH POLLS ARE OPEN" and "6:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M." Below is a description of valid forms of ID". Below is lettering that reads the same as the contact information on the front.
Walter W. Sloan Auto Litter Bag
9 inches by 11 inches white plastic auto litter bag featuring a ballot box design. In front of a blue rectangle with white stars, a blue hand is dropping a blue ballot in the box that reads, "EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT and YOUR DUTY VOTE" in red lettering. Below is blue lettering that reads, "ELECT Walter W. SLOAN REPRESENTATIVE 101st DISTRICT". Above and below the blue lettering are blue and red lines.

Mercantile Library Collections Directory

Mercantile Special Collections Directory

Barriger Library Collections Directory

Barriger Special Collections Directory

Pott Library Collections Directory

Pott Special Collections Directory