Government, Politics, and Reform

March on Washington Handbill

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are all represented in the Museum's collections—by a surveying compass, a lap desk, and a top hat, among other artifacts. But the roughly 100,000 objects in this collection reach beyond the possessions of statesmen to touch the broader political life of the nation—in election campaigns, the women's suffrage movement, labor activity, civil rights, and many other areas. Campaign objects make up much of the collection, including posters, novelties, ballots, voting machines, and many others. A second group includes general political history artifacts, such as first ladies' clothing and accessories, diplomatic materials, ceremonial objects, national symbols, and paintings and sculptures of political figures. The third main area focuses on artifacts related to political reform movements, from labor unions to antiwar groups.

Engraving of toad and salamander species"Scaphiopus couchii, Amblystoma proserpina, Amblystoma texana"

William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print ofdifferent reptile species after original illustrations by John H. Richard (c.1807-1881) of Philadelphia. The engraving was published as Plate 35 in “Reptiles of the Boundary” by S. F.
Description (Brief)
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of
different reptile species after original illustrations by John H. Richard (c.1807-1881) of Philadelphia. The engraving was published as Plate 35 in “Reptiles of the Boundary” by S. F. Baird (1823–1887), published in Volume 2, Part 2 of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C. The species illustrated describe: “Scaphiopus couchii [Baird], Ambytoma proserpina [B & G], and Ambystoma texana [Baird]”—; now Scaphiopus couchii (common name Couch’s spadefoot or Spadefoot toad), "Ambystoma mavortium" (common name Western tiger salamander) and "Ambystoma texanum" (common name Texas salamander).
Description
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Scaphiopus couchii [Baird], Ambytoma proserpina [B & G], and Ambystoma texana [Baird]”—; now Scaphiopus couchii (Couch’s spadefoot or Spadefoot toad), "Ambystoma mavortium" (Western tiger salamander) and "Ambystoma texanum" (Texas salamander); from an original sketch by John H. Richard (c. 1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 35 in the “Reptiles” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, written by S.F. Baird (1823–1887). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1859
author
Baird, Spencer Fullerton
original artist
Richard, John H.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Wendell, Cornelius
author
Emory, William H.
publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Army
ID Number
2009.0115.059
catalog number
2009.0115.059
accession number
2009.0115

Engraving of fish species "Otolithus drummondii"

William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of the fish species Otolithus drummondii [Richards] after original sketches by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia.
Description (Brief)
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of the fish species Otolithus drummondii [Richards] after original sketches by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The engraving was printed as Plate 6 in “Ichthyology of the Boundary” by Charles Girard (1822-1895), published in Volume 2, Part 2 of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Description
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Otolithus drummondii [Richards]”, now "Cynoscion nebulosus" or Spotted seatrout, from an original sketch likely drawn by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 6 in the “Fishes” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, written by Charles Girard (1822–1895). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1859
original artist
Richard, John H.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Wendell, Cornelius
author
Emory, William H.
publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior
author
Girard, Charles
publisher
U.S. Army
ID Number
2009.0115.075
catalog number
2009.0115.075
accession number
2009.0115

Engraving of frog species "Batrachyla longipes, Heloecetes clarii, Ylarana fusca, Acris archeta"

William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print ofdifferent reptile species after original illustrations by John H. Richard (c.1807-1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 37 in “Reptiles of the Boundary” by S.F.
Description (Brief)
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of
different reptile species after original illustrations by John H. Richard (c.1807-1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 37 in “Reptiles of the Boundary” by S.F. Baird (1823–1887), published in Volume 2, Part 2 of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C. The species illustrated include: “Batrachyla longipes [Baird], Heloecetes clarkia [Baird], Hylarana fusca [Baird], and Acris archeta [sic] [Baird]," now "Eleutherodactylus longipes" (common names Long–footed frog, Long–footed robber frog, or Longfoot robber frog), "Pseudacris clarkia" (common names Clark’s tree frog, Clark’s striped tree frog, or Spotted chorus frog), Hylarana fusca [Baird], and "Acris gryllus" (common name Cricket frog).
Description
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Batrachyla longipes [Baird], Heloecetes clarkia [Baird], Hylarana fusca [Baird], and Acris archeta [sic] [Baird]," now "Eleutherodactylus longipes" (Long–footed frog, Long–footed robber frog, or Longfoot robber frog), "Pseudacris clarkia" (Clark’s tree frog, Clark’s striped tree frog, or Spotted chorus frog), Hylarana fusca [Baird], and "Acris gryllus" (Cricket frog); from an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 37 in the “Reptiles” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, written by S.F. Baird (1823–1887). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1859
author
Baird, Spencer Fullerton
original artist
Richard, John H.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Wendell, Cornelius
author
Emory, William H.
publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Army
ID Number
2009.0115.061
catalog number
2009.0115.061
accession number
2009.0115

Engraving of fish species "Belone scrulator"

William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of fish species, "Belone scrulator [Grd]," after an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia.
Description (Brief)
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of fish species, "Belone scrulator [Grd]," after an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The engraving was printed as Plate 13 in “Ichthyology of the Boundary” by Charles Girard (1822-1895), published in Volume 2, Part 2 of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Description
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Belone scrulator [Grd]”, now "Strongylura marina" or Atlantic needlefish, from an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 13 in the “Fishes” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, which was written by Charles Girard (1822–1895). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1859
publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior
original artist
Richard, John H.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Wendell, Cornelius
author
Girard, Charles
Emory, William H.
publisher
U.S. Army
ID Number
2009.0115.058
catalog number
2009.0115.058
accession number
2009.0115

Engraving of fish species "Ictiobus tumidus, Pytchostomus albidus, Luxilus leptosomus"

William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of three fish species after original sketches by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia.
Description (Brief)
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of three fish species after original sketches by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The engraving was printed as Plate 19 in "Ichthyology of the Boundary” by Charles Girard (1822-1895), published in Volume 2, Part 2 of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C. The fish species illustrated include: Ictiobus tumidus [Grd], Ptychostomus albidus [Grd], and Luxilus leptosomus [Grd].
Description
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Ictiobus tumidus [Grd], Ptychostomus albidus [Grd], and Luxilus leptosomus [Grd]”—now "Ictiobus bubalus" (Smallmouth buffalofish), "Moxostoma albidum" (Longlip jumprock), and "Notemigonus crysoleucas" (Golden shiner or Golden shiner minnow); from an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 19 in the “Fishes” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, written by Charles Girard (1822–1895). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1859
publisher
U.S. Army
author
Girard, Charles
original artist
Richard, John H.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Wendell, Cornelius
author
Emory, William H.
publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior
ID Number
2009.0115.067
catalog number
2009.0115.067
accession number
2009.0115

Engraving of fish species "Caragnus esculentus, Doliodon carolinus, Chorinemus lanceolatus, Chloroscombrus cambraeus, Argyreiosus capillaris, Vomer setapinnis"

William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of a fish species after an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia.
Description (Brief)
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of a fish species after an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The engraving was printed as Plate 1 in “Ichthyology of the Boundary” by Charles Girard (1822-1895), published in Volume 2, Part 2 of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey. The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C. Species represented in the engraving include:
Figs. 1- 3 - Caragnus esculentus [Grd], Fig. 4 - Doliodon carolinus [Grd],
Fig. 5 - Chorinemus lanceolatus [Grd], Fig. 6 - Chloroscombrus carribaeus [Grd], (Atlantis bumper), Fig. 7 -- Argyreiosis capillaris [De Kay], and Fig. 8 - Vomer setapinnis [Grd]; now "Oligoplites saurus" (Leatherjacket).
Description
William Dougal (1822–1895) of Washington, D.C. engraved this print of “Caragnus esculentus [Grd], Doliodon carolinus [Grd], Chorinemus lanceolatus [Grd], Chloroscombrus carribeaus [Grd], Argyreiosis capillaris [De Kay], and Vomer setapinnis [Grd]; now "Oligoplites saurus" (Leatherjacket), "Trachinotus carolinus" (Florida pompano), "Oligoplites saurus" (Leatherjacket), "Chloroscombrus carribaeus" (Atlantic bumper), and "Selene setapinnis" (Atlantic moonfish or horsefish); from an original sketch by John H. Richard (c.1807–1881) of Philadelphia. The illustration was printed as Plate 11 in the “Fishes” section of the second part of volume II of the Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, written by Charles Girard (1822–1895). The volume was printed in 1859 by Cornelius Wendell of Washington, D.C.
Location
Currently not on view
date of book publication
1859
original artist
Richard, John H.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Wendell, Cornelius
author
Emory, William H.
publisher
U.S. Department of the Interior
author
Girard, Charles
publisher
U.S. Army
ID Number
2009.0115.080
catalog number
2009.0115.080
accession number
2009.0115

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1980.0606.177
accession number
1980.0606
catalog number
1980.0606.177

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1980.0607.01
accession number
1980.0607
catalog number
1980.0607.01

Stop Sweatshop Labor here & abroad ISO

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2000
2000-04-16
ID Number
2000.0158.04
accession number
2000.0158
catalog number
2000.0158.04

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0693.346
accession number
1985.0693
catalog number
1985.0693.346

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0693.319
accession number
1985.0693
catalog number
1985.0693.319

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0106.599
accession number
1985.0106

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0693.178
accession number
1985.0693
catalog number
1985.0693.178

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1985.0106.340
accession number
1985.0106

button

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1990.0591.05
catalog number
1990.0591.05
accession number
1990.0591

IMF World Bank WTO

Date made
2000
2000-04-16
ID Number
2000.0158.01
catalog number
2000.0158.01
accession number
2000.0158

Pitcher, "Come Box the Compass"

This transfer printed creamware pitcher is decorated on one side by a compass pattern and a commemoration to George Washington on the other.
Description
This transfer printed creamware pitcher is decorated on one side by a compass pattern and a commemoration to George Washington on the other. The compass design is headed by a scroll that reads “Come Box the Compass” while below is the text “Invented by Murphy a Dutchman AD 1229 first exhibited at Venice 1260 Improved by Giora of Naples 1309 its declination discovered by Hartman 1538.” The other side features an inset portrait of George Washington flanked by the allegorical figures of Liberty and Freedom. A twisting scroll around the portrait bears the names of 15 states, including misspellings of “Tenassee” and “Masachusett.”
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CE.63.133
catalog number
63.133
accession number
248619
collector/donor number
45-365

Button, Henry Wallace, 1948

Henry Wallace’s path to—and through--national politics was an unusual one. Raised on a farm in Iowa, Wallace edited his family’s agricultural newspaper while his father served as Secretary of Agriculture under two Republicans, Presidents Harding and Coolidge.
Description
Henry Wallace’s path to—and through--national politics was an unusual one. Raised on a farm in Iowa, Wallace edited his family’s agricultural newspaper while his father served as Secretary of Agriculture under two Republicans, Presidents Harding and Coolidge. Differences over farm policies led Wallace to break with the party his family had always supported. He campaigned for Democratic candidate Al Smith in 1928 and endorsed Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. Because of this political work and his reputation in agricultural science and economics, FDR tapped Wallace as his Secretary of Agriculture even though Wallace was still a registered Republican. The youngest member of FDR’s Cabinet, Wallace became, according to economist John Kenneth Galbraith, “second only to Roosevelt as the most important figure of the New Deal.”
Wallace registered as a Democrat in 1936 and four years later was named Roosevelt’s running mate for his third term making Wallace the last vice president to have held no previous elected office. In spite of FDR’s belief in him, Democratic Party leaders continued to see Wallace as an outsider and pushed the president to replace Wallace on the 1944 ticket. When Harry S. Truman became vice president, Roosevelt returned Wallace to the Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. The last former vice president to serve in a subsequent presidential cabinet, Wallace stayed at Commerce until September 1946 when he became the final FDR Cabinet member to be released by President Truman.
Discouraged by his treatment within the party, Wallace found himself increasingly at odds with Democratic positions particularly in the area of foreign policy. He opposed both the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine and advocated a closer relationship with the Soviet Union. Recognizing that he would not receive the 1948 Democratic presidential nomination, Wallace formed the Progressive Party (unrelated to parties of the same name in 1912 and 1924) and ran for president on the Progressive platform which included policies such as universal health insurance, an end to the Cold War, full voting rights for African Americans, and reparations for those sent to Japanese internment camps. Receiving only 2.4% of the popular vote, Wallace finished fourth in the election behind President Harry Truman (Democrat), Thomas Dewey (Republican), and Strom Thurmond (States’ Rights Democratic). After this defeat, he retired from public life and returned to the study and practice of farming.
date made
1948
Associated Name
Wallace, Henry
ID Number
1985.0106.217
accession number
1985.0106

Warren Harding Inaugural

This bronze medal made to commemorate the Presidential Inauguration of Warren G. Harding in 1921 depicts him in a side head portraitCurrently not on view
Description
This bronze medal made to commemorate the Presidential Inauguration of Warren G. Harding in 1921 depicts him in a side head portrait
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1921 03 04
associated person
Harding, Warren G.
ID Number
PL.227739.1921.B01
catalog number
227739.1921.B01

Pitcher, "Apotheosis"

The “Plan of the City of Washington” depicts the figures of Britannia and America examining the street plan of the District of Columbia. Britannia is shown pointing to the site of the Capitol building.
Description
The “Plan of the City of Washington” depicts the figures of Britannia and America examining the street plan of the District of Columbia. Britannia is shown pointing to the site of the Capitol building. The print is based on the street plan designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant and completed by Andrew Ellicott in 1792. Finally, under the spout is a transfer printed medallion with the words, “A MAN / without example / A PATRIOT / without reproach” drawn from Thomas Paine’s “An Eulogy on the Life of General George Washington.” This jug was part of the George Horace Lorimer Collection and was purchased by Robert H. McCauley from Parke Bernet Galleries in New York on March 31, 1944 for $75.00. Lorimer was an editor of The Saturday Evening Post from 1899 to 1936.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800
ID Number
CE.63.165
catalog number
63.165
accession number
248619
collector/donor number
44-346

Commander Stassen speaking at a public session

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1944-1945
ID Number
2013.0327.1158
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1158

stereocard

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Associated Date
1901
Associated Name
McKinley, William
ID Number
ZZ.RSN83517Y23

The Purest Kind of a Guy; Joe Hill

Paul Robeson. side 1: The Purest Kind of a Guy; side 2: Joe Hil (Columbia 17357-D), from the album. Songs of Free Men (Columbia M-534).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942. This album was released in 1943.The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss.
Description (Brief)

Paul Robeson. side 1: The Purest Kind of a Guy; side 2: Joe Hil (Columbia 17357-D), from the album. Songs of Free Men (Columbia M-534).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1942. This album was released in 1943.

The cover art for this album was made by Alex Steinweiss. Alexander “Alex” Steinweiss (1917-2011) was an American artist and graphic designer. He was the first art director of Columbia Records, expanding the use of album covers and cover art. Steinweiss created album cover art from 1938 to 1973.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
release date
1943
recording artist
Robeson, Paul
manufacturer
Columbia
ID Number
1988.0824.25
accession number
1988.0824
maker number
M-534
catalog number
1988.0824.25
maker number
17357-D

Poster, "A Voter's Bill of Rights", 2014

A poster with the State of California's "Voter's Bill of Rights"Currently not on view
Description
A poster with the State of California's "Voter's Bill of Rights"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 2014
associated date
2014
ID Number
2016.0023.01
catalog number
2016.0023.01
accession number
2016.0023

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