This object is an original pen and ink political cartoon hand drawn on heavy white paper circa 1896-1900 by Clifford Berryman in Washington, D.C. It depicts William Jennings Bryan with an arm looped around a fence post for support as he holds the reins on and attempts to pull back a donkey named “Democracy.” Behind Bryan, a plate on the fence nearest to him reads “Kansas City Platform” while a similar plate on the fence nearest to the donkey reads “Chicago Platform.” A small elephant and teddy bear, symbolizing Thodore Roosevelt, appear in the distance.The title "Mr. Bryan's Hold" is in pencil centered on the bottom, while an erased title also shows along the top. The maker's number 16708 is stamped in blue ink in the upper right area. The drawing is signed "Berryman" in the lower right area of the illustration.
Chicago was the location of the Democratic National Convention in 1896, where Bryan won the nomination; Kansas City was the location in 1900, where Bryan sought and again won the Democratic nomination.
Berryman used a variety of characters and symbols in his work. He used the teddy bear to represent support or understanding of Theodore Roosevelt.
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