Lincoln Parade Transparency, 1860

Lincoln Parade Transparency, 1860

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Description
This three-sided transparency was originally illuminated from inside by a small oil lamp and carried in campaign parades.
By the middle of the 1800s, spectacular events became the hallmark of American presidential campaigns, and a highlight of every election was the torchlight parade. Hoping to inspire the most apathetic voter to cast a ballot for their candidate, hundreds if not thousands of marchers in cities across the country brightened the night sky in the evenings leading up to the election. Lincoln supporters organized torchlight parades throughout the North during the 1860 campaign.
Gift of Mrs. Robert A. Hubbard, 1961
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
transparency
associated person
Lincoln, Abraham
Physical Description
fabric (overall material)
paint (overall material)
wood (frame material)
Measurements
assembled each side: 27 1/2 in x 27 1/2 in x 21 1/2 in; 69.85 cm x 69.85 cm x 54.61 cm
ID Number
PL.238747.01
catalog number
238747.01
accession number
238747
Credit Line
Mrs. Robert A. Hubbard
subject
Political Campaigns
See more items in
Political and Military History: Political History, Campaign Collection
Government, Politics, and Reform
Selections from the Abraham Lincoln Collection
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

At the funeral procession for Lincoln held in New York City on April 25/26, 1865, newspapers reported that people carried "transparencies." I had to look up to find what a "transparency" might be in the 1860s. This answered my question. See New York Daily News for April 26, page 1.

Gerard Sullivan

Tue, 2022-01-25 13:12

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