Pin, Adlai Stevenson, 1952

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.

Referenced: Political Campaigns

Subject:

See more items in: Political and Military History: Political History, Campaign Collection, Government, Politics, and Reform, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

Exhibition: American Democracy

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2006.0110.087Accession Number: 2006.0110Catalog Number: 2006.0110.087

Object Name: Pin

Physical Description: brass (overall material)grey (overall color)Measurements: overall: 1 in x 1/4 in x 1/2 in; 2.54 cm x .635 cm x 1.27 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-11ef-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1313484

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