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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November For Our President Tie-Tack
1/2-inch by 5/8-inch sterling silver, screw back, tie-tack style pin with low relief profile portrait of Eugene W. Chafin, Prohibition Party candidate for president in 1908 and 1912. The portrait is flanked on either side by a column, and the words "November For Our President" are above and below the portrait.
Obamaccino Coffee Drink
Powder cappuccino to be mixed with water for warm or iced coffee.
One Vote, Barry Goldwater Coupon
This flyer is white with a decorative blue border on the front. An emblem showing an eagle with a quill in its mouth is in the center. the logo for the "National Federation of Republican Women". In front of the emblem it reads "This coupon is good for, one vote, (yours), on November 3rd". The text is blue except for "one vote, (yours)", which is red. Below this "For free transprtation to the polls or baby-sitting help while you vote} CALL" is printed. On the back of the flier "a vote for Barry Goldwater is a vote" is printed, with "vote for Barry Goldwater" printed in red and "a" and "is a vote" printed in blue. Beneath this "for" is printed in red and below it is a list printed in blue. Below this list "against" is printed in red with a list printed below it in blue. At the bottom of the page is a red box with the logo for the "National Federation of Republican Women" and their mailing address, "1625 Eye Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20006".
Our Choice Button
1 and 1/4-inch round, pin back button with black and white portrait of Theodore Roosevelt and Charles Fairbanks over a shield with an American flag motif. Above the portraits is text reading "OUR CHOICE".
Our Presidents From Washington to Eisenhower Comic Book
7 1/8 inches by 5 1/4 inches tan vertical comic book with 22 pages. The cover graphic is in between two blue bars with 14 white stars on top and 15 white stars on bottom. Beneath the blue bar at the top is a black bar with red letters spelling "OUR PRESIDENTS". Below is a cloud with the dome of the capitol building and black, red, and blue letters spelling "FROM WASHINGTON TO EISENHOWER". Above the bottom blue bar is three cards with three presidents' images and names. The left card with George Washington, the right Abraham Lincoln, and the middle is Dwight D. Eisenhower. There is an eagle perched on the middle card. The opening page is from the editors where they describe the importance of presidents to the nation's history. In one page or half of a page the comic book details every president from Washington to Eisenhower, outlining important events of their presidencies. The back cover has a drawing of the White House. Under the image is black writing "HOW MANY of Our PRESIDENTS Can you name in correct order? Courtesy of Your Friendly BIG BEAR STORE". Union imprint in lower right corner.
Our Senior Citizens McGovern Print Ad
Print advertisement for presidential candidate George McGovern paid for by "Mercer County Citizens for McGovern". Advertisement contains quotes from Gorge McGovern under bolded headers reading "Increase Social Security", "Reduce Property Taxes", "Improve Health Care", and "Expand Housing". The bottom of the page is covered in a black band with George McGovern's picture in the middle. To the left of his picture, "Make America Happen Again" is printed in white. To the right of his picture "George McGovern For President The Man To Vote For On June 6th." is printed in white.
Peace and Freedom Party Button
1 1/2 inch diameter round pin back button with an orange background with the words PEACE AND FREEDOM PARTY in black surrounding a center circle in black with the words I AM REGISTERED in orange letters. This is an early version of the pin issued by the party that was established in the late 1960s and ran Eldridge Cleaver for president in 1968.
Pierson Letter
Letter from Isaac Pierson, of Ramapo, New York, to brother Jeremiah Halsey Pierson. The letter discusses the 1801 election deadlock between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Jefferson and Burr had each recieved 73 electoral votes in the 1801 election and thus the House of Representatives had to vote to determine the next president. At the time the letter was written, Isaac Pierson believed the vote was taken "31 times" and the results were the same, with no majority. At the time the letter was written, Thomas Jefferson had won the presidency after Delaware abstained from voting in the 36th round of voting to take place in the House of Representatives on February 17, 1801.
Platform for the People Brochure
White paper brochure with blue cover. "Platform for the People" is printed in white on the front and below is a quote describing the "1960 Democratic Platform". The inside of the pamphlet covers the platform of the Democratic party. The back has a black and white photograph of then presidential candidate John F. Kennedy and vice presidential candidate Lyndon B. Johnson. Below in blue "Leadership for the Sixties" is printed. This pamphlet was produced by "The Democratic National Committee" at "1001 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington 6, D.C."
Portrait of Theodore Roosevelt with Eagle on Gold button
1 1/8-inch round, pin back button with black and white portrait of Theodore Roosevelt in a white circle on gold with an eagle overhead and two American flags below. Button has paper back label with St. Louis Button Co., St. Louis and Allied Printing Trades Council 3, Newark (N.J.).
President Ford '76 Brochure
Brochure with "President Ford '76" printed in white across the top of a photograph of then presidential candidate Gerald Ford on the front. The inside contains quotes from Ford's inaugral speech. It also lists his accomplishments and stances. The brochure was made by the "President Ford Committee".
President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland Medal
1-inch round, bronze-tone medal with facing, low-relief jugate portraits of President Grover Cleveland and First Lady Frances Cleveland. The portraits are each framed by an oval of raised dots. An eagle is centered above the portraits and below is a shield with stripes resembling the American flag. On the reverse are the words "Souvenir of tour through West & South, President and Mrs. Cleveland Oct. 1887".
Presidential Platter
Hand painted ceramic platter (14" x 10.5") with portrait of various U.S. presidents including, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, Andrew Jackson, James Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, and James A. Garfield. The platter also includes American symbols like the American flag and an eagle. The center of the platter featured a picture of the White House.
Progressive Moose Button
7/8-inch round, pin back button with profile of a moose head in yellow on a dark blue background.
Progressive Party, Roosevelt/Johnson Certificate
Receipt for a one dollar contribution to the campaign fund of the Progressive Party. The receipt also serves as a "Charter Membership Certificate." Photographic images of presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt and vice presidential candidate Hiram W. Johnson are found on the receipt, as well as the words "Pass Prosperity Around." The opposite side of the receipt has an image of a bull moose, the political symbol of the Progressive Party, along with two quotes, one from Roosevelt and one from Johnson.
Prosperity At Home, Prestige Abroad Button
7/8-inch round, pin back button with black and white portrait of Williams McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt encased in a white circle surrounded by gold written on a dark teal background. Button back inscribed with J.H. Shaw Co., Phila.
Prosperity and Progress Token
Gold token featuring the head of a donkey on one side with text reading "Prosperity and Progress". The reverse features the backside of an elephant with text reading "Depression Bread Line".
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."
Protection Sound Money Button
7/8-inch round, post-back clothing button with black and white portrait of William McKinley and Garret Hobart with the American flag in the background. Button has engraving on reverse side for Baldwin & Gleason Company.
Protection and Prosperity Glassware Mug
Glassware mug with profile portrait of William McKinley. The words "Protection and Prosperity" are arched above the portrait and "Maj Wm. McKinley" is written below the portrait with ornate décor on the rim and handles of the mug.
Pull for Candidate Postcard
Novelty postcard. At the top is text reading "Pull for your candidate". Below the text is an image of an elephant with a red cloth on its back reading "For President". By pulling the elephant's string tail, an image of presidential candidate William H. Taft pops up from behind the elephant. The opposite side of the postcard is formatted with a place for a message, address, and stamp. Manufactured by Elite Post Card Co., Kansas City, Mo.
Re-Elect Douglas, The People's Senator Button
1-inch round, pin back button with the words, "Re-Elect Douglas, The People's Senator" in white block letters on a green background.
Re-Elect Our President, Franklin D. Roosevelt Button
1/2-inch pin back button with black and white portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The button reads "Re-Elect Our President, Franklin D. Roosevelt" and features a star flanking both sides of the portrait.
Re-Elect President Roosevelt Button
1/4-inch pin back button. The red background is diagonally bisected by a white stripe. Within the stripe is blue text reading "ROOSEVELT". White text on the red portion above the stripe reads "RE-ELECT". White text below the stripe reads "PRESIDENT". Reverse has label for Allied Printing.
Re-Elect Roosevelt Button
1/2-inch, red, pin back button featuring a blue monochromatic portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt flanked by a blue star on each side. Within a red circle bordering the outer edge of the button is white text reading "RE-ELECT ROOSEVELT".
Reagan Mask Postcard
A postcard with an image of Ronald Reagan on the front. There are holes cut out for the nose and eyes so it can be used as a mask. On the back of the card are lines for a person to write on and in the middle there are blue letters at the top spelling "'Mr. President' Artist: Chris Consani Copyright 1984 Insert Nose Here" and at the bottom spelling "Intra-Dynamics, Inc. Box 21807 Santa Barbara 93121". Below the writing at the top are arrows pointing to the opening for the nose. 4 /14 inches by 6 1/2 inches.
Red, White, and Blue Taft Button
7/8-inch round, pin back button with red, white and blue stripes dividing it into thirds and "TAFT" written in blue over the center white stripe. Button has paper label on reverse for Allied Printing Trades Council, Newark and Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark.
Registered 1917 Belleville, Illinois Button
Round pin-back button with background of a red stripe at top, a white stripe at center and a blue stripe at the bottom, with the words "Registered 1917 Belleville Illinois" in white letters. The Selective Service Act was passed by Congress on May 18, 1917 and authorized the President of the United States to increase military numbers through mandatory enlistment. All men aged 21 to 30 years of age were required to register for military service for a period of 12 months. Buttons like this seem to commemorate the act of registering with the Selective Service.

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