Political Game, "Blocks of Five or The Administration Puzzle," 1888
01
Artifact Overview
Republican Benjamin Harrison narrowly won the presidential election of 1888. Democrats would accuse Republicans of sending men who sold their votes to the polls in controllable groups, or "blocks of five." Party officials could be sure of how these groups voted since nineteenth-century voting practices involved casting a preprinted party ballot. This game, created after the election, became a playful jab at political corruption.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Mechanical puzzle
Date Made
1888
Subject Date
1888
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Game produced by the firm Ives, Blakeslee & Company, New York, NY; promoted by the daily newspaper, New York World.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
31.220.8
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ida Mellen.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Wood (Plant Material)
Color
Red
White (Color)
Blue
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Length: 4.0 in
Height: 1.25 in
Width: 4.0 in
Inscriptions
packaging:
BLOCKS OF FIVE / OR / THE ADMINISTRATION PUZZLE / BLAINE IS IN. / HOW CAN HARRISON GET HIM OUT? / THE NEW YORK WORLD WILL GIVE $100 TO THE PERSON WHO DOES THIS PUZZLE IN THE SHORTEST TIME / SEE DIRECTIONS INSIDE [ . . . ]
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