Metamorphic Political Card of President Martin Van Buren, "A Beautiful Goblet…/ An Ugly Mug…," 1840
THF127346 / Metamorphic Political Card of President Martin Van Buren, "A Beautiful Goblet…/ An Ugly Mug…," 1840
01
Artifact Overview
Whig party supporters poked fun at Democratic President Martin Van Buren with this campaign novelty. The aristocratic-looking Van Buren appears to enjoy "White House champagne," but when the tab is pulled he cannot handle "log cabin hard cider"-- a drink associated with his opponent William Henry Harrison and the common man. The Whigs' portrayal of the incumbent as snobbish and uncaring helped elect Harrison.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Card (Information artifact)
Date Made
1840
Subject Date
1840
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Attributed to David Claypoole Johnston.
Collection Title
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
69.145.228
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard
Technique
Engraving (Printing process)
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 5 in
Width: 3.125 in
Inscriptions
movable card with two captions:
AN UGLY MUG OF LOG-CABIN HARD CIDER [or] A BEAUTIFUL GOBLET OF WHITE HOUSE CHAMPAGNE
Keywords |
|---|
02
Related Content
articleChanging Faces: Nineteenth-century Political Metamorphic Cards
Changes in political campaigning in the second quarter of the 19th century spurred a flood of new material to engage voters. Inexpensive mechanical or metamorphic cards poked fun at the opposition, transforming images of a party's candidate or his followers with a pull of a tab.