Collection of Presidential Campaign Artifacts
Scope and Content
The collection of presidential campaign artifacts consists of more than 4500 items spanning from an 1804 newspaper clipping to 1972 campaign buttons. All items from campaigns after 1972 came from sources other than the original donor (as well as some original 19th century campaign publications). The campaigns most thoroughly represented are those of 1936-1952, including more than 1500 campaign buttons (including many duplicates for some campaigns), original campaign song books, and 60 original drawings of political cartoons from that timeframe. Taken as a whole, the collection is a microcosm of the changing nature of campaign memorabilia, and how more elaborate items of the 19th century (glassware, jewelry) were less prominent by the 20th century, while simpler items such as ribbons, buttons, and novelties were a consistent staple from the 19th century to the 1950s and 1960s.
Dates
- Creation: 1804-1972
Creator
- Anonymous (Person)
Language of Materials
The records are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Ohio University Libraries.
Conditions Governing Use
Ohio University retains all property rights to the collection.
Ohio University retains all copyrights unless retained by the donor, other correspondents, or other artists.
Extent
32.8 cubic feet (3 Hollinger boxes, 2 record center cartons, 2 shelves, 13 flat boxes, 11 flat file drawers)
Abstract
Presidential campaign artifacts include posters, news clippings, cartoons, buttons, glassware, pins, jewelry, song books, hats, umbrellas, Chinese lanterns, textiles, novelties, printed matter, and correspondence.
Statement of Arrangement
These records are organized into the following series:
- Series I POLITICAL CARTOONS AND POSTERS
- Series I:1 Drawings and Prints
- Series I:2 Posters And Drawings On Bound Cloth Backing
- Series II PORTRAITS (ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY)
- Series II:1 Individuals
- Series II:2 Group Portraits of the Presidents
- Series II:3 Miscellaneous Portraits and Photographs
- Series II:4 Group Portraits of the Presidents - Oversize
- Series II:5 Presidential Portraits - Bound
- Series III POLITICAL TEXTILES
- Series III:1 Ribbons
- Series III:2 Ribbon Badges
- Series III:3 Bandanas, 1840-1952
- Series III:4 Banners, 1856-1932
- Series III:5 Miscellaneous Textiles, 1828-1968
- Series III:6 Oversized Banner
- Series IV PAPER ARTIFACTS
- Series IV:1 Paper Stickers, 1932-1968
- Series IV:2 Advertising Cards
- Series IV:3 Fans
- Series IV:4 Stamps
- Series IV:5 Autographed Business Card, 1896
- Series IV:6 Bookmarks, 1944
- Series IV:7 Cardboard Hats, 1940
- Series IV:8 Cellophane Labels
- Series IV:9 Donkeys and Elephants
- Series IV:10 Ledger Book, 1884
- Series IV:11 Membership Cards
- Series IV:12 Milk Bottle Tops, 1936-1944
- Series IV:13 Miscellaneous, 1872-1952
- Series IV:14 Novelties, 1908-1956
- Series IV:15 Tickets, 1877-1965
- Series IV:16 Oversized Paper Banner
- Series IV:17 Calendar
- Series V PRINTED MATERIAL
- Series V:1 Electoral Tickets, 1828-1968
- Series V:2 Song Books, 1840-1916
- Series V:3 Songs
- Series V:4 Sheet Music, 1840-1952
- Series V:5 Invitations (Presidential), 1869-1949
- Series V:6 Invitations (Non-Presidential)
- Series V:7 Pictorial Envelopes, 1860-1964
- Series V:8 Post Cards (Presidential Campaigns)
- Series V:9 Post Cards (Presidential, Non-Campaign)
- Series V:10 Post Cards (Non-Presidential)
- Series V:11 Inauguration/Memorial Programs, 1869-1957
- Series V:12 Comic Books, 1950-1956
- Series V:13 Pamphlets, 1848-1968
- Series V:14 Handbills, 1828-1968
- Series V:15 Imitation Money, 1892-1948
- Series V:16 Index Cards
- Series V:17 Letters, 1844-1956
- Series V:18 Magazines (Complete), 1895-1968
- Series V:19 Magazine Articles, 1956-1958
- Series V:20 Newspapers & Newspaper Clippings, 1804-1968
- Series V:21 Campaign Commemorative Stamps, 1912-1952
- Series VI LAPEL DEVICES
- Series VI:1 Medals and Medalets, 1828-1956
- Series VI:2 Shell Badges, 1860-1912
- Series VI:3 Lapel Studs, 1884-1956
- Series VI:4 Campaign Buttons. Non-Presidential
- Series VI:5 Non-Campaign Buttons
- Series VI:6 Brass Buttons
- Series VI:7 Campaign Buttons
- Series VI:8 Campaign Buttons: Favorite Son & Independent Candidate
- Series VII JEWELRY
- Series VII:1 Pin Back, 1872-1968
- Series VII:2 Earrings
- Series VII:3 Bracelets
- Series VII:4 Stickpins, 1836-1912
- Series VII:5 Squeeze Back Pins
- Series VII:6 Cufflinks
- Series VII:7 Necklaces
- Series VII:8 Tie Clips
- Series VII:9 Miscellaneous Jewelry
- Series VIII POLITICAL NOVELTIES
- Series VIII:1 Games, 1884
- Series VIII:2 Matchbooks, 1940-1949
- Series VIII:3 Sewing Materials, 1880-1928
- Series VIII:4 Smoking Materials, 1940-1952
- Series VIII:5 Magnets
- Series VIII:6 Pens And Pencils 1944-1952
- Series VIII:7 Pocket Mirrors
- Series VIII:8 Canteen
- Series VIII:9 Sugar Cubes
- Series VIII:10 Miscellaneous Novelties, 1880-1960
- Series VIII:11 Automotive Accessories, 1934-1968
- Series VIII:12 Stick Toys
- Series VIII:13 Metal Serving Tray
- Series VIII:14 Folding Lanterns
- Series VIII:15 Coin Bank
- Series VIII:16 Cardboard Banners
- Series VIII:17 Hats
- Series VIII:18 Leather Belt
- Series VIII:19 Metal Toy
- Series VIII:20 Quill Pen
- Series VIII:21 Smoking Materials
- Series VIII:22 Toys
- Series VIII:23 Torchlights
- Series VIII:24 Parade Canes
- Series IX GLASSWARE
- Series X LETTERS TO THE COLLECTOR
- Series XI INFORMATION USED BY THE COLLECTOR
- Series XI:1 Advertisements
- Series XI:2 Articles
- Series XI:3 Collector's APIC Membership Information
- Series XI:4 Collector's Personal Notes
- Series XI:5 Magazine Clippings
- Series XI:6 Newspaper Clippings
- Series XI:7 Pamphlets/Memorabilia Catalogues
- Series XI:8 The Gold Bug, 1956-1964
- Series XI:9 Manuscript, 1862
- Series XII COLLECTION SUPPLEMENTS
- Series XII:1 Printed Matter
- Series XII:2 Presidential Inaugural Buttons
- Series XII:3 Ribbon Badges
- Series XII:4 Miscellaneous Campaign Buttons, 1902-1972
- Series XII:5 Miscellaneous Artifacts, 1972-1992
- Series XII:6 Campaign Brochures
- Series XII:7 Paper Lantern
- Series XII:8 Campaign Buttons, 1972-1980
- Series XII:9 Ohio Congressional Election, 1901
- Series XII:10 Miscellaneous Non-Campaign Buttons
- Series XII:11 Campaign Buttons, 1988-1996
- Series XII:12 1996 Democratic Campaign Brochures
- Series XII:13 Miscellaneous
Other Finding Aid
A paper copy of the folder list is available.
Acquisition Information
The Ohio University Archives received the original collection as a gift from an anonymous donor in 1979. Additions have been made since by the Archives.
Existence and Location of Copies
Ohio University will entertain requests to photocopy reasonable amounts of material from the collection for the convenience of individual researchers.
Description Note
Original, legacy collection inventories may contain inaccuracies or be incomplete. Collection descriptions may change or be updated as they are verified. Please contact Mahn Center staff if you note any errors or discrepancies.
- Title
- Finding aid for the Collection of Presidential Campaign Artifacts
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Eric Paddon in June 1997
- Date
- 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- The finding aid was converted into EAD with funding support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Revision Statements
- 5 January 2024: Subjects and other notes added from ALICE MARC records and Mahn Center Microsoft Office finding aids by Ohio University Libraries Metadata Services Department Python scripts.
Repository Details
Part of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections Repository
