Political Novelties

A series of pull cards, soap sculptures, nutcrackers, signs, belt buckles, and other objects created to promote or oppose various U.S. presidential candidates

The Constitution made the presidency and the positions of senator and representative elective offices. By the early 19th century, rivalries among political factions in the new government led to the creation of a competitive party system. The promotion of candidates among an expanding electorate placed increasing importance on the success of popular political campaigns.

The earliest objects in this group commemorate George Washington’s inauguration as the first president in 1789. Washington was the nation’s overwhelming choice, and the popular artifacts associated with his presidency generally celebrated the man and the office. With the realization of an in-and-out party system in the era of Andrew Jackson, advocacy replaced commemoration. Commemorative clothing buttons, sewing boxes, and crockery gave way to expendable campaign advertising novelties such as badges, buttons, and ribbons. These objects are the products of an economy of popular promotion that sought to instill a high level of activism and engagement. By the mid-20th century badges, buttons, and ribbons began to be displaced by investments in radio and television advertising and opinion polling.

Search term: *:* Date: 1950s Clear All

Button, Dwight Eisenhower, 1950s

Republicans Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower and Richard “Dick” Nixon were first elected president and vice president in 1952, defeating their Democratic opponents Adlai Stevenson and John Sparkman.
Description
Republicans Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower and Richard “Dick” Nixon were first elected president and vice president in 1952, defeating their Democratic opponents Adlai Stevenson and John Sparkman. When “Ike and Dick” ran for re-election in 1956, the Republican Platform promoted their ticket as very youth friendly: “As the Party of the Young and in glowing appreciation of his dynamic leadership and inspiration, we respectfully dedicate this Platform of the Party of the Future to our distinguished President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and to the Youth of America.” Teenagers not yet old enough to vote expressed their support by forming Junior Clubs. The Republicans once again defeated Stevenson, this time running with Estes Kefauver.
ID Number
PL.226888.056
accession number
226888
catalog number
226888.056

Sign, anti-Harry S. Truman, 1952

In April 1945, three months into his fourth term, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died and Vice President Harry S. Truman ascended to the presidency. Truman won a full term in his own right in 1948 and was eligible to run again in 1952.
Description
In April 1945, three months into his fourth term, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died and Vice President Harry S. Truman ascended to the presidency. Truman won a full term in his own right in 1948 and was eligible to run again in 1952. (The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution which limits presidential terms was ratified in 1951 but Truman, as sitting president, was exempt from its restrictions.) However, by the time the primary season started, Truman’s approval rating had fallen to approximately 22%. As this campaign novelty made by J.B. McMullen predicted, Truman was through in 1952. Less than three weeks after finishing second in New Hampshire, the opening primary, President Truman announced he would not seek re-election. The Democratic nomination went to Adlai Stevenson who lost the general election to his Republican opponent, Dwight Eisenhower.
date made
1952
described
Truman, Harry S.
ID Number
1984.1081.187
accession number
1984.1081
catalog number
1984.1081.187

Pin, Adlai Stevenson, 1950s

By the 1950s, women comprised half of the voting electorate. To encourage their participation, campaigns produced inexpensive costume jewelry such as this pin promoting Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson.
Description
By the 1950s, women comprised half of the voting electorate. To encourage their participation, campaigns produced inexpensive costume jewelry such as this pin promoting Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. Stevenson lost to his Republican opponent Dwight Eisenhower in 1952 and again in 1956.
referenced
Stevenson, Adlai
ID Number
1986.1040.803
catalog number
1986.1040.803
accession number
1986.1040

Campaign Pin, "I'm for Humphrey"

date made
1956
referenced
Humphrey, Hubert H.
ID Number
PL.227739.1956.X57
accession number
227739
catalog number
227739.1956.X57

Doll, Dwight Eisenhower, 1956

President Dwight Eisenhower ran for re-election on the Republican ticket in 1956 and defeated his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson for the second time.
Description
President Dwight Eisenhower ran for re-election on the Republican ticket in 1956 and defeated his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson for the second time. This whimsical version of his party’s symbol may have been designed to reflect the youth-friendly Republican Platform: “As the Party of the Young and in glowing appreciation of his dynamic leadership and inspiration, we respectfully dedicate this Platform of the Party of the Future to our distinguished President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and to the Youth of America.”
associated date
1956
associated institution
Republican National Party
associated person
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
ID Number
PL.227739.1956.X59
catalog number
227739.1956.X59
accession number
227739

Tie clip, Adlai Stevenson, 1950s

Lenticular or “flasher” buttons that can be shifted to change images between designs were first used in the 1952 presidential campaign.
Description
Lenticular or “flasher” buttons that can be shifted to change images between designs were first used in the 1952 presidential campaign. The lenticular attachment on this tie clip alternates between the slogan “Vote Adlai” and a picture of Adlai Stevenson, the Democratic nominee for president in 1952 and 1956. In both elections, Stevenson was defeated by the Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower.
depicted
Stevenson, Adlai
ID Number
1993.0141.11
catalog number
1993.0141.11
accession number
1993.0141

Pin, Adlai Stevenson, 1952

At a campaign event on Labor Day 1952, Bill Gallagher, photographer for the Flint Journal¸ noticed a hole in the bottom of Adlai Stevenson’s shoe. He quickly took a photo which later won the 1953 Pulitzer Prize.
Description
At a campaign event on Labor Day 1952, Bill Gallagher, photographer for the Flint Journal¸ noticed a hole in the bottom of Adlai Stevenson’s shoe. He quickly took a photo which later won the 1953 Pulitzer Prize. The image generated many shoe-themed campaign items for and against the Democratic candidate. Stevenson’s supporters thought the worn shoe made him seem more approachable and partnered this pin with the slogan “Better a hole in the shoe than a hole in the head.” Stevenson lost twice to his Republican opponent Dwight Eisenhower, in 1952 and 1956.
date made
1952
referenced
Stevenson II, Adlai E.
ID Number
2006.0110.087
accession number
2006.0110
catalog number
2006.0110.087

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