THF11606

Political Cartoon, "Honest Abe Taking Them on the Half Shell," 1860

Summary

This political cartoon for the 1860 presidential campaign depicts Abraham Lincoln, the fledgling Republican Party presidential candidate, handily taking on rival candidates while eating at the "Political Oyster House." He was facing three other presidential hopefuls. Northern Democrats turned to Stephen Douglas of Illinois, while southern Democrats selected John C. Breckenridge of Kentucky. In addition, John Bell of Tennessee was a third-party choice.

Artifact

Print (Visual work)

Date Made

1860

Subject Date

1860

Creators

Currier & Ives

Place of Creation

United States, New York, New York

Creator Notes

Published by Currier & Ives

Keywords

Prints (Visual works)

Political cartoons

Lithographs

Presidential elections

Political candidates

United States presidents

Douglas, Stephen A. (Stephen Arnold), 1813-1861

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Collection Title

Print Collection

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

26.93.38

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Ink
paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Black (Color)
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 13 in

Width: 17.25 in

Inscriptions

Printed at bottom: HONEST ABE TAKING THEM ON THE HALF SHELL. At upper left corner: POLITICAL OYSTER HOUSE./ Hardshells & Softshells/ constantly on hand/ Democrats Fried, Stewed, Roasted/ or on the Half Shell Caption from figure of Stephen Douglas on shell labeled Soft Shell: I'm a gone sucker!! Caption from figure of John Breckinridge on shell labeled ? Shell: Alas! that ever I should live to be swallowed by a rail splitter! Cation from Abraham Lincoln: These fellows have been planted so long in Washington that they are as fat as Butter. I hardly know which to swallow first. At bottom: Published by Currier & Ives