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

Pages

"Who Would Make The Best President For You?" Booklet
8 3/4 inches by 4 inches tan brochure with blue letters spelling "WHO WOULD MAKE THE BEST PRESIDENT FOR YOU?" on the front cover. Below the writing is a red arrow pointing to the right with white letters spelling "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS". The first four pages follow the formula of asking a 'who' question with pictures and names listed of Richard Nixon, George Wallace, and Hubert Humphrey. The questions are masked accomplishments of Humphrey's. Nixon and Wallace are crossed out with red letters spelling "Not him" while Humphrey is circled with red letters spelling "It was Humphrey". The fifth and sixth pages discuss recessions and follow a similar formula. The back cover has a list of programs Humphrey proposed or sponsored. Below the list is a picture of Humphrey with red letters spelling "It was Humphrey". Towards the bottom are blue letters spelling "VOTE HUMPHREY-MUSKIE". At the bottom is blue letters spelling "Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Humphrey-Muskie Committee" along with the committee members' names. Allied Printing Trades Council union imprint bottom right corner of back cover.
"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.
"Young Voters for the President" Poster
11 inches by 8 1/2 inches white and brown brochure for Richard Nixon's reelection campaign. The cover of the brochure has an image of Richard Nixon and the words in white, "young voters FOR THE PRESIDENT". The "young" and "voters" cross each other and use the same "o". When opened, there is a photograph of Richard Nixon meeting young supporters across both pages. Underneath the photograph is a quote detailing how that for 18-21 year olds they are first time eligible voters and claims they support Richard Nixon. When unfolded the first time there is a section devoted to the accomplishments of Richard Nixon's first term with respect to issues important to the youth vote. Along both sides are photographs of Richard Nixon. When completely unfolded, there is a poster of Richard Nixon.
"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?".
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."
48 Hours to Choose Our Future Sticker
Blue sticker bisected horizontally with a red line and half a white star. White text above the red line reads "48 Hours to Choose Our Future" and text below reads "Mondale/Ferraro".
7 Reasons Print Ad
Print ad for Automatic Voting Machine Corporation of Jamestown, New York, in operation "since 1898". Headline reads "7 Reasons Why More Than 5,500 Cities, Towns and Villages in the United States Use AUTOMATC [sic] VOTING MACHINES". A black and white image of a man using the automatic voting machine in a voting booth is to the right of a bulleted list of reasons, below the headline.
A Gallant Leader, Franklin D. Roosevelt Button
1/2-inch pin back button featuring a black and white portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt centered on a white background. Black text arched along the outer edge reads "A GALLANT LEADER FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT". Reverse has label for Bastian Brothers Company (Rochester, N.Y.)
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.
American Labor Party Button
7/8-inch pin back button in white with black and white portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Along the outer edge is small text reading "AMERICAN LABOR PARTY". Reverse has label for Green Duck Company (Chicago, Il.)
Americans for Goldwater Brochure
White paper brochure with a photograph of then-presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. Below is blue and red text reading "Why you, as one who believes in Barry Goldwater should be counted among his supporters NOW!". Inside is a message encouraging supporters to organize "Americans for Goldwater" chapters. On the back is the address of Americans for Goldwater in Phoenix, to which supporters could write for a copy of "Handbook for Victory".
Automatic Voting Machine "Avoid Costly Election Contests" Print Ad
Print ad in "The American City" magazine for "Automatic Registering Machine Co., Inc." of Jamestown, New York. A headline at the top reads "Avoid Costly Election Contests Once and for All By Using Voting Machines". Below is text describing the voting machines' benefits. Near the top right side is a black and white photograph of the back of the automatic voting machine. Text at the bottom reads "AUTOMATIC REGISTERING MACHINE CO., Inc. Jamestown New York".
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.
Automatic Voting Machines 1944 Election Print Ad
Advertisment for the Automatic Voting Machine Corporation, printed in "The American City". A headline at the top reads "AUTOMATIC VOTING MACHINES were used by 12 million* voters at the 1944 presidential election". Text below contains more information about the voting machines and their use. In the center, a black and white photograph shows a man using the voting machine in a voting booth.
Back Up; You've Batted Twice Card
A cartoon portrays Uncle Sam serving as referee and instructing a stylized Theodore Roosevelt to step away and allow a stylized Taft to take bat in a baseball game. Text beside Uncle Sam reads "Back up; you've batted twice".
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.
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.
Bernie Sanders Skate Flier
6 inch by 4 inch event flier for a free rollerskating event in support of Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. Yellow and white text and illustrations over a black background.
Big Stars and Stripes Roosevelt Button
1/2-inch pin back button. The top third of the button is dark blue with three small white stars along the top edge. Across the center is black text reading "ROOSEVELT". Below are five vertical red stripes on a white background.
Bill & Hill's Big Party Magazine
10 1/2 inches by 8 1/8 inches comedy magazine for Bill Clinton's 1997 inauguration. The cover is red, blue and yellow. At the top there are white letters spelling "1997 COMEDY INAGURATION GUIDE". At the middle top there are red and black letters spelling "Bill & Hill's PIG PARTY!” There are edited pictures of Bill and Hillary Clinton. To the left of the images are black letters spelling "Four More Big Ones!" and a red balloon with white letters spelling "FREE Fun Tearouts!” To the right of the images there are six different headings. The first has red and black letters spelling "PAPER DOLLS Dress the Clinton's for their Big Bash!” The next has black letters spelling "Your Clinton Inauguration Invitation (FRAME IT!)". The third has red letters spelling "Wild Party Photos!” The fourth has black letters spelling "Celebrating Four more years". The fifth is under a fake four dollar bill featuring Bill and Hillary Clinton with red and black letters spelling "FREE MONEY! Bogus Bills are a Capital Idea! TEAR THEM OUT!” The last has black letters spelling "Tons of Goodies...” There are 38 pages in the magazine.
Billy Possum and Jimmie Possum on the Links Postcard
Double-sided caricature postcard of Billy Possum, an animal character representing William H. Taft, and Jimmy Possum, an animal character representing James S. Sherman who was Taft's vice-president, playing golf. Postmarked in Monroeville, Indiana, November 1909. Pencil inscription with a personal note on the back, addressed to "Mr Charles Strait", and dated "Nov 8, 1909".
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.

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