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Political Novelties

The Constitution made the presidency and the positions of senator and representative elective offices. By the early 19th century, rivalries among political factions in the new government led to the creation of a competitive party system. The promotion of candidates among an expanding electorate placed increasing importance on the success of popular political campaigns.

The earliest objects in this group commemorate George Washington’s inauguration as the first president in 1789. Washington was the nation’s overwhelming choice, and the popular artifacts associated with his presidency generally celebrated the man and the office. With the realization of an in-and-out party system in the era of Andrew Jackson, advocacy replaced commemoration. Commemorative clothing buttons, sewing boxes, and crockery gave way to expendable campaign advertising novelties such as badges, buttons, and ribbons. These objects are the products of an economy of popular promotion that sought to instill a high level of activism and engagement. By the mid-20th century badges, buttons, and ribbons began to be displaced by investments in radio and television advertising and opinion polling.

  • Button 29 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Badges 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
  • Ribbon (material) 10 Filter by term plus Exclude term minus
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  • Commemorative Clothing Button, George Washington, 1789

    National Museum of American History
  • Commemorative Mug, Thomas Jefferson, 1801

    National Museum of American History
  • Mug, Monroe

    National Museum of American History
  • Mug, Adams Portrait

    National Museum of American History
  • Flyer, Andrew Jackson, 1828

    National Museum of American History
  • Sewing Box, John Quincy Adams, 1828

    National Museum of American History
  • Commemorative Snuff Box, Andrew Jackson, 1829

    National Museum of American History
  • Commemorative Snuff Box, 1832

    National Museum of American History
  • Martin Van Buren Campaign Pull Card

    National Museum of American History
  • Martin Van Buren Campaign Pull Card

    National Museum of American History
  • Campaign Pull Card, 1837

    National Museum of American History
  • Ribbon, Young Men's National Whig Convention

    National Museum of American History
  • Booklet, "Harrison Melodies", 1840

    National Museum of American History
  • Spoon, 1840

    National Museum of American History
  • Campaign Ribbon, William Henry Harrison

    National Museum of American History
  • Log Cabin Snuff Box

    National Museum of American History
  • Booklet, "Clay Minstrel", 1844

    National Museum of American History
  • Pipe Depicting Henry Clay

    National Museum of American History
  • Henry Clay Campaign Cigar Case, 1844

    National Museum of American History
  • Polk Campaign Ribbon

    National Museum of American History
  • Millard Fillmore Campaign Ribbon, 1856

    National Museum of American History
  • Booklet, "The Republican Campaign Songster", 1856

    National Museum of American History
  • Campaign Pull Card, 1856

    National Museum of American History
  • Buchanan Campaign Ribbon

    National Museum of American History
  • Lincoln and Hamlin Campaign Medal, 1860

    National Museum of American History
  • Wide Awake Campaign Ribbon, 1860

    National Museum of American History
  • Campaign Song Book, "Ye Little Giant"

    National Museum of American History
  • Booklet, "Lincoln Campaign Songster", 1864

    National Museum of American History
  • Grant Campaign Paper Collar

    National Museum of American History
  • Grant Campaign Ribbon, 1868

    National Museum of American History
  • Campaign Booklet, "Farmer of Chappaqua Songster"

    National Museum of American History
  • Coin Bank

    National Museum of American History
  • Hayes/Wheeler Campaign Ribbon, 1876

    National Museum of American History
  • Tilden/Hendricks Campaign Booklet, "Reform Songs", 1876

    National Museum of American History
  • Next President Card, 1880

    National Museum of American History

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