This object is an original pen and ink political cartoon hand drawn on white paper by Clifford Berryman circa 1912 in Washington, D.C. It depicts a Christmas tree with a "1912" banner up top and Uncle Sam dressed as Santa Claus distributing presents from the tree to the politicians surrounding him. He holds William Howard Taft’s gift in his hand to give to Taft who is standing close by with outstretched hands to receive the gift. Each gift on the tree is labeled with the recipient's name in the familiar form, e.g. Willie (for Taft), Woody (for Woodrow Wilson), Bobby (for Robert LaFollette, seen from behind), Champy (for Champ Clark), Teddy (for Theodore Roosevelt, who appears with the “teddy bear”), Billy (for William Jennings Bryan, seen from behind), Juddy (for Judson Harmon), and Josie (for Joseph Folk). The drawing is signed "Berryman" in the lower right area of the illustration.
It is interesting to observe that Taft is shown closest to Santa Claus and is the only person depicted with outstretched hands. He and Roosevelt competed for the nomination of the Republican party in 1912. Taft was nominated but lost the presidential election to Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson.
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