Bryan-Kern Campaign Button, 1908

01

Artifact Overview

William Jennings Bryan made his third and last attempt to become president in 1908. Bryan and his running mate, Indiana Senator John Kern, tried to distinguish themselves from their Republican opponents by championing a variety of domestic reforms. It didn't work. Voters chose the safe, well-qualified William Howard Taft -- President Roosevelt's hand-picked successor.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Button (Information artifact)

Date Made

1908

Creator Notes

Manufactured by the Whitehead & Hoag Company and the Allied Printing Trades Council, Newark, New Jersey.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

72.31.321

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Celluloid (Cellulosic)
Tin (Metal)
Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Diameter: 1.25 in

Inscriptions

Front: CLEAN SWEEP FOR DEMOCRACY IN 1908 | BRYAN AND KERN Back: [Allied Printing Trades Council, Newark union label] BUTTONS MADE BY | THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO. | NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A. | PAT. APRIL 14, 1896, | JULY 21, 1896.