McClellan Presidential Campaign Lantern, 1864
THF155750 / McClellan Presidential Campaign Lantern, 1864
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Artifact Overview
Late-nineteenth-century political parties rallied their supporters by holding torchlight parades. In the evening, marchers lit up the street carrying torches, lamps and lanterns. Inexpensive paper lanterns glowed with the image or name of the party's candidate or other patriotic imagery. In 1864, backers of General George McClellan used lanterns like this to call for the defeat of the "Old Joker," President Abraham Lincoln.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Paper lantern
Date Made
1864
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
72.31.53
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)
Wire
Color
Black (Color)
White (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 8.5 in
Width: 8.75 in
Length: 8.75 in
Inscriptions
Printing on four sides:
The Union For Ever! [sic]
The Old Joker Joked Out
Bayonets Not to be Used at the Poles [sic]
No Coerce of Voters
Printed on bottom:
PATENT APPLIED FOR / K & B / NEW YORK.
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