Political Lantern, 1860-1880

THF155738 / Political Lantern, 1860-1880
01

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. This accordion-pleated lantern is decorated simply with stars and stripes.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Paper lantern

Date Made

1860-1880

Place of Creation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

69.145.13

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Bamboo (Material)
Paper (Fiber product)
Tin (Metal)
Wire

Color

Blue
Red
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 7.5 in
Diameter: 7 in

02

Related Content

  • Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin Campaign Button, 1860
    Set

    Abe Lincoln, 1860

    • 11 Artifacts
    Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin campaign button for the 1860 presidential election containing tintype portraits of the Republican Party candidates on each side. This use of photography in political campaigns was still unusual at the time--most campaign buttons did not include photographic images of the candidates.
  • paper lanterns with presidents Garfield and Arthur pictured
    article

    Conserving Our Political Paper Lanterns

      The Henry Ford holds an extensive collection of paper political campaign lanterns, very rare and delicate late-19th-century survivors, and recently conserved them to preserve them for the future.