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Portraits of the seven presidents of the U.S. / A. Baker's, lithog.

An emblematic print with hidden portraits of the Presidents, from Washington through Jackson. In the center is a small land mass, surrounded on three sides by water and strewn with barrels, anchors, bales, a co... More

A scene on the frontiers as practiced by the "humane" British and thei...

Charles denounces British and Indian depredations on the American frontier during the War of 1812, alluding specifically to the practice of offering bounties for American scalps. The cartoon may have been prom... More

Joseph Cinquez, the brave Congolese Chief, who prefers death to slaver...

Joseph Cinquez was the leader of a revolt among African slaves aboard the Spanish ship "Amistad" en route to Cuba in June 1839. The slaves seized control of the ship but were soon recaptured and charged with mu... More

Uncle Sam's pet pups! Or, Mother Bank's last refuge

A crude woodcut satire showing Harrison luring "Mother Bank," Jackson, and Van Buren into a barrel of "Hard Cider." Jack Downing chases Jackson and Van Buren toward the barrel as Mother Bank crawls into it. Whi... More

The Presidents of the United States. Liberty and union / lith. of G. &...

A commemorative print published after the inauguration of President James K. Polk. The design incorporates oval bust portraits of the eleven Presidents arranged in an oval with Washington in the center and Polk... More

The Presidents of the United States. Liberty and union / lith. of G. &...

A black and white drawing of a man standing next to a cabin ["Harrison...

An untitled woodcut, bold in design, apparently created for use on broadsides or banners during the Whigs' "log cabin" campaign of 1840. In front of a log cabin, a shirtsleeved William Henry Harrison welcomes a... More

Balloon ascension to the presidential chair

Reflecting Whig preelection confidence in the campaign of 1844, the artist portrays that party's ascendancy over the Democrats in the race for the presidency. Bucholzer uses the metaphor of a hot-air balloon ra... More

The Tory mill. The original genuine experiment is published this day

A crude and unusually large woodcut, employing the metaphor of a mill to portray the spoils system under the Democrats (or "Tories" as they were labeled by the Whig press). The print may attack Andrew Jackson'... More

America. To those, who wish to sheathe the desolating sword of war. An...

Print shows an allegory of the restoration of peace and prosperity to America following the Revolution. The print is based on a 1778 painting by British artist Robert Edge Pine, which was destroyed by fire in 1... More

The main question - Victorian era public domain image

Satire on the escalation of tensions during the Maine-New Brunswick border conflict in February and March 1839. The dispute involved the claim to valuable, timber-rich territory in the Aroostook region. The are... More

Passmore Williamson, in Moyamensing Prison for alledged contempt of co...

An unusual informal portrait of the secretary of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, seated in a prison cell. Williamson was sentenced on July 22, 1855, to imprisonment for his "false return" (i.e., evasive tes... More

The issue joined - Public domain drawing

An indignant James K. Polk takes issue with Massachusetts senator Daniel Webster's public attacks on his Texas policy. In 1844 Webster had been opposed to the annexation of Texas and in 1846 he criticized atta... More

Union / painted By T[ompkins] H. Matteson ; engraved by H[enry] S. Sad...

A symbolic group portrait eulogizing recent legislative efforts, notably the Compromise of 1850, to preserve the Union. The work is in some respects a memorial to the triumvirate of senior American legislators:... More

Taylor / designed & drawn by J.G. Bruff, Washington, D.C.

A campaign print, grandiose in design and imagery, for Whig presidential candidate Zachary Taylor. A corona of thirty stars appears in a burst of light. Emanating streams of light illuminate a broad expanse of ... More

The prairie dog sickened at the sting of the hornet or a diplomatic pu...

James Akin's earliest-known signed cartoon, "The Prairie Dog" is an anti-Jefferson satire, relating to Jefferson's covert negotiations for the purchase of West Florida from Spain in 1804. Jefferson, as a scraw... More

The bloody massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 177...

A sensationalized portrayal of the skirmish, later to become known as the "Boston Massacre," between British soldiers and citizens of Boston on March 5, 1770. On the right a group of seven uniformed soldiers, o... More

The Union must and shall be preserved. For President Abraham Lincoln o...

Print shows a campaign banner for the Republican ticket. Oval bust portraits of the two candidates are enclosed in rustic bent-twig frames, intended perhaps to recall Lincoln's much-publicized backwoods origins... More

A contested seat, US Democratic party

The artist anticipates a Whig victory in the 1852 presidential contest. The scene takes place in an interior, carpeted or tiled with a grid-and-star pattern. At left, Whig candidate Winfield Scott, in military ... More

A foot-race - Public domain drawing

A figurative portrayal of the presidential race of 1824. A crowd of cheering citizens watch as candidates (left to right) John Quincy Adams, William Crawford, and Andrew Jackson stride toward the finish. Henry... More

The re-union of the home of the brave and free! / by Samuel Canty.

A somewhat premature allegory of reconciliation between the North and South, extolling former Presidents Andrew Jackson and George Washington as defenders of the Union. Jackson (left) and Washington appear in t... More

Storming the castle. "Old Abe" on guard

During the 1860 election campaign the "Wide Awakes," a marching club composed of young Republican men, appeared in cities throughout the North. (See no. 1860-14.) They often wore uniforms consisting of visored ... More

The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th, 1870 / from an original ...

Another of several large commemorative prints marking the enactment, on March 30, 1870, of the Fifteenth Amendment and showing the grand May 19 celebratory parade in Baltimore. (See also nos. 1870-2 and 1870-3)... More

The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th, 1870 / from an original ...

The young American schottisch - Lithograph, public domain, Library of ...

Sheet music cover for a schottisch (a dance similar to the polka), composed by Francis H. Brown and dedicated to "Miss Mary Leeds of New York." The illustration features the standing figure of "Young America,"... More

The rebound of the ball - Public domain book illustration

A satire on the Democrats' defeat in the fall New York state elections, here viewed as a referendum on Van Buren's independent treasury, or "Sub-treasury" system. A large ball labeled "Sub Treasury" is pushed d... More

Murder of Louisiana sacrificed on the altar of radicalism

President Ulysses S. Grant and Congress turned a blind eye to the disputed 1872 election of carpetbagger William P. Kellogg as governor of Louisiana. In this scene Kellogg holds up the heart which he has just ... More

Our country . . . home industry

An anti-Jackson broadside issued during the 1824 presidential election campaign. The text strongly criticizes Jackson's anti-tariff platform and condemns him and William Coleman as advocates of British interes... More

The grand national caravan moving east. / drawn by Hassan Straightshan...

A burlesque parade, led by Andrew Jackson and satirizing various aspects of his administration. The procession moves from right to left. At its head is Jackson, seated on a horse with Martin Van Buren cross-le... More

The decapitation of a great block head by the mysterious agency of the...

A cryptic and anonymous satire probably referring to the 1834 "decapitation" of the wooden figure-head of Andrew Jackson, placed on the ship "Constitution" when it was refitted at Boston. The deed was perpetrat... More

The would-be mayor preparing to quell a riot

A disparaging portrayal of New York Tammany Democrats and their candidate for mayor in the April 1837 municipal elections. Here the angular, aristocratic candidate John J. Morgan presents a striking contrast to... More

Treasury note, Washington, D.C., Political Cartoon

A parody of the often worthless fractional currencies or "shinplasters" issued by banks, businesses, and municipalities in lieu of coin. These fractional notes proliferated during the Panic of 1837 with the eme... More

The three mares/mayors, New York course, spring races, 1838

A satire on the 1838 New York mayoralty contest, here shown as a horse race between (left to right) Whig candidate Aaron Clark, Democrat Richard Riker, and Loco Foco Democrat Isaac L. Varian. Clark is clearly i... More

Seventh ward beggars - Political cartoon, public domain image

Print shows President Andrew Jackson holding a kingly scepter and a bag containing $100,000. He sits upon bundles, presumably containing money, labeled "Surplus Fund". Two bankers kiss his feet, while several o... More

Baltimore Convention, Old Tippecanoe, a patriotic song

An illustrated sheet music cover for a "Patriotic Song. Written, to be sung at Baltimore during the Young Men's Whig Convention" of May 1840. The composer is identified as "a Pennsylvanian." The illustration, l... More

A bivouack in safety or Florida troops preventing a surprise

Another parody of Van Buren administration efforts to end the long and costly Second Seminole War in Florida. The War Department was regularly subjected to public and congressional attacks for cruelty, waste, a... More

The fox chace. Book illustration from Library of Congress

The artist's portrayal of Harrison's rout of Van Buren reflects strong Whig confidence late in the presidential campaign of 1840. Van Buren is shown as a fox, with a bird (an albatross?) labeled "Treasury" aro... More

Federal-Abolition-Whig trap, to catch voters in

An illustrated anti-Whig broadside, designed to combat the "Log Cabin campaign" tactics of presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. The text warns the people of New Orleans of Whig election propaganda: "P... More

All the West going for Matty - Public domain book illustration, Librar...

A Whig cartoon spoofing Democratic claims of Western support for Van Buren during the election of 1840. Pursued by animals from the "Alleghany Mountains" and the Mississippi River, including among others a buf... More

The great political car and last load of patriots. Dorr, Jackson, Simm...

A virulent attack on the four conservative Rhode Island legislators who broke with the Law and Order Party to support a Democratic movement to free imprisoned radical Thomas Wilson Dorr. (On the Dorrite Rebelli... More

Polk's dream Historic map, Library of Congress

Here Clay is critical of James K. Polk's public advocacy of the 54.40 parallel as the northern boundary of American territory in Oregon. The cartoon also alludes to widespread uncertainty as to the course the ... More

The fox hunt. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Again Van Buren's flirtation with radical interests is portrayed as his downfall. As in "The Modern Colossus" (no. 1848-56) antislavery activist Abby Folsom (here "Abby Fulsome") is prominently featured. Here s... More

Whig harmony - Political cartoon, public domain image

A severe split within the Whig ranks, between partisans of Henry Clay and those of Zachary Taylor, preceded the party's convention in June 1848. Here Horace Greeley, one of Clay's most influential northern supp... More

Questioning a candidate - Political cartoon, public domain image

Zachary Taylor's stubborn resistance to declaring his views on the major political issues during his candidacy in the 1848 presidential campaign was a favorite theme of the opposition. Here Taylor, in uniform, ... More

Patent balancing by an amateur - Public domain book illustration, Libr...

New York "Tribune" editor Horace Greeley is ridiculed for vacillating between support of candidates Martin Van Buren and Zachary Taylor in the presidential election of 1848. Greeley balances precariously on a t... More

Hunting Indians in Florida with blood hounds

A tableau dramatizing the brutal tactics employed by Zachary Taylor as commander of U.S. forces against the Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole War (1835-42). Taylor, on horseback at right, presides ov... More

Defense of the California Bank - Public domain book illustration, Libr...

A mildly jingoistic satire voicing American suspicions of foreign designs on California after the discovery of gold there in 1848. The bay and coastline of San Francisco are shown, menaced by foreign invaders ... More

Genl. Lopez the Cuban patriot getting his cash

A satiric portrait of Venezuelan-born general Narciso Lopez, leader of an 1850 expedition to liberate Cuba from Spanish rule. Lopez's army of American volunteers captured the Cuban coastal town of Cardenas in ... More

Halloo! Turks in Gotham - Drawing. Public domain image.

Signed in stone: WA. Title appears as it is written on the item. Purchase (Hubbard Fund); (DLC/PP-1976:041). Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander

The opposition of Northern abolitionists, churchmen, and political figures to enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is criticized in this rare pro-Southern cartoon. In two panels artist Edward Williams ... More

The buck chase of 1856 - Political cartoon, public domain image

Democratic candidate James Buchanan, as a buck deer, crosses the finish line of a racecourse ahead of competitors Millard Fillmore and John C. Fremont. Spectators cheer in the stands behind. Fillmore appears a... More

Columbia rules the sea - sheet music cover

An emblem of an eagle supported by two American flags, illustrates the sheet music cover for a song by Josiah D. Canning. The eagle's wings are spread and its mouth holds a streamer with the composer's sobrique... More

Our country's flag - Lithograph, public domain, Library of Congress

An example typical of the rash of patriotic Unionist prints exalting the American flag, that appeared at the outset of the Civil War. (See also nos. 1861-19 through 1861-21.) "Our Country's Flag" is a handsom... More

Secession exploded, Confederate States of America.

This strongly anti-Confederate satire is a fantastical vision of the Union defeat of the secessionist movement. A hideous monster representing secession emerges from the water at left. He is hit by a charge fro... More

Volunteering down Dixie, Confederate States of America.

A satire on Southern recruitment efforts during the early part of the Civil War. In a scene before a Confederate encampment, a reluctant civilian (center) is presented with a musket and military coat by two vet... More

The great American What is it? chased by Copper-heads

An anti-Lincoln satire, showing the Republican incumbent and his supporters menaced by giant "Copperheads" (Peace Democrats). After a speech on May 1, 1863, asserting that the Civil War was being fought to fre... More

George Hunt - Democracy. 1832. 1864., Confederate States of America.

Two scenes contrast Democratic presidential candidate of 1832 Andrew Jackson and 1864 George B. McClellan. McClellan is portrayed as weak and conciliatory toward the South, whereas his earlier counterpart's st... More

The sportsman upset by the recoil of his own gun (Jo. Miller)

Lincoln is portrayed as meek and ineffectual in his prosecution of the war. In a wooded scene Lincoln, here in the character of an Irish sportsman in knee-breeches, discharges his blunderbuss at a small bird "C... More

Tree of intemperance / [Archibald] Macbrairs, lith.

The second of a pair of prints (see "Tree of Temperance," no. 1855-2) issued by A. D. Fillmore in 1855 expounding on the benefits of temperance and the evils of drink. In the center grows a gnarled tree whose r... More

[American flag campaign banner for Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. ...

Print shows a campaign banner and is another version of no. 1860-19, reversed and overprinted with the legend: "An American Flag with Portrait of Stephen A. Douglas encircled by 33 Stars in a Blue Field, bearin... More

Emancipation Proclamation. Proclamation by the governor / E. Knobel, f...

One of two large commemorative prints marking the ordinance issued by Missouri governor Thomas C. Fletcher, proclaiming the immediate emancipation of slaves in that state. The Missouri ordinance was issued on J... More

Portraits of the seven presidents of the U.S. / A. Baker's, lithog.

Am I not a man and a brother? - Public domain print

The large, bold woodcut image of a supplicant male slave in chains appears on the 1837 broadside publication of John Greenleaf Whittier's antislavery poem, "Our Countrymen in Chains." The design was originally... More

Liberty. "Liberty brings to the earth justice and peace" / C. Inger.

A grand, pro-Union allegorical print, produced as a complimentary "Presentation Plate" for the "Philadelphia Inquirer" newspaper in 1864. Liberty stands on the steps of an altar, wearing a breastplate, cape, an... More

Winslow Homer - Argument of the chivalry

A dramatic portrayal, clearly biased toward the northern point of view, of an incident in Congress which inflamed sectional passions in 1856. The artist recreates the May 22 attack and severe beating of Massach... More

Columbia's noblest sons, Confederate States of America.

One of the grander prints produced to exploit the great outpouring of national devotion to the martyred President following his assassination in April 1865. As in "National Picture" (no. 1865-7) Lincoln is comp... More

Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians / Wm Charles, Ssc.

The citizens of Alexandria, Virginia, are ridiculed in this scene for their lack of serious resistance against the British seizure of the city in 1814. At left two frightened gentlemen kneel with hands folded,... More

Democratic platform illustrated, Political Cartoon

Another attack on the 1856 Democratic platform as pro-South and proslavery. The Buchanan-Breckenridge ticket is reviled on the basis of recent developments occurring during the outgoing Pierce administration. I... More

Polk in his extremity - Political cartoon, public domain image

Henry Clay's easy ascent to the presidency here is in contrast to the serious difficulties experienced by his Democratic opponent James K. Polk. Clay has reached the top of a large pole and has the "Civic Crow... More

The great American tanner / Thomas Worth. sketch ; on stone by [John] ...

An election-year cartoon invoking both Grant's humble beginnings as a tanner and his successful Civil War military career. Before the war Grant had worked in his family's leather goods establishment in Galena, ... More

Genl. Andrew Jackson, 1828. Protector & defender of beauty & booty, Or...

Print shows a campaign portrait of Andrew Jackson issued during the presidential election of 1828. An oval bust portrait of Jackson is surrounded by the words "Protector & Defender of Beauty & Booty. Orleans," ... More

Congressional pugilists. Book illustration from Library of Congress

A crude portrayal of a fight on the floor of Congress between Vermont Representative Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold of Connecticut. The row was originally prompted by an insulting reference to Lyon on Griswold... More

Jeff's last shift. Capture of Jeff. Davis, May 10th, 1865, at Irwinsvi...

One of the less outlandish variations on the popular theme of Jefferson Davis's capture by Union soldiers. (See "The Chas-ed "Old Lady" of the C.S.A.," no. 1865-11.) In a wooded setting Davis, wearing a bonnet ... More

The result of the Fifteenth Amendment, and the rise and progress of th...

A slightly altered version of another print by the same title also issued by Metcalf and Clark (no. 1870-2), commemorating the enactment of the Fifteenth Amendment and its celebration in Baltimore. In the cente... More

John Bull making a new batch of ships to send to the lakes / Charles, ...

A satire on British efforts to recover after major naval losses on the Great Lakes in 1813 and 1814. According to Lanmon, it is based on Thomas Rowlandson's 1798 satire "High Fun for John Bull or the Republica... More

A galvanized corpse - Public domain print

Jacksonian editor Francis Preston Blair rises from his coffin, revived by a primitive galvanic battery, as two demons look on. A man on the right throws up his hands as he is drawn toward Blair, saying: Had I n... More

[Lincoln & Douglas in a presidential footrace]. No. 1, 1860

Rival presidential nominees Lincoln and Douglas are matched in a footrace, in which Lincoln's long stride is a clear advantage. Both sprint down a path toward the U.S. Capitol, which appears in the background r... More

The looking glass for 1787. A house divided against itself cannot stan...

A satire touching on some of the major issues in Connecticut politics on the eve of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The two rival factions shown are the "Federals," who represented the trading inter... More

American star / Design'd, engraved & [Published?] by Thomas Gimbrede, ...

Oval medallion portraits of George Washington and (below, left to right) Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams are framed against a curtain of drapery and furs surmounted by a star. Washington's portr... More

The reconstruction policy of Congress, as illustrated in California

A satire aimed at California Republican gubernatorial nominee George C. Gorham's espousal of voting rights for blacks and other minorities. Brother Jonathan (left) admonishes Gorham, "Young Man! read the histor... More

The modern balaam and his ass - Public domain book illustration, Libra...

Title appears as it is written on the item. Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

"I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest . . . where be your gi...

McClellan, in the character of Hamlet stands near an open grave holding the head of Abraham Lincoln. He soliloquizes, "I knew him, Horatio: A fellow of infinite jest . . . Where be your gibes now?" The cartoon... More

Union / painted By T[ompkins] H. Matteson ; engraved by H[enry] S. Sad...

The prairie dog sickened at the sting of the hornet or a diplomatic pu...

The Chicago platform and candidate, Confederate States of America.

McClellan was branded a hypocrite by many critics who saw his public stance on the war issue as ambiguous and deceptive. Nominated because of his military record, he nevertheless ran on a peace platform, writte... More

The bloody massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 177...

Social qualities of our candidate, Political Cartoon

Reports of his alcoholism haunted Democratic candidate Franklin Pierce during the 1852 campaign. The matter is taken up here with mocking reference to the Maine Liquor Law of 1851, a landmark prohibition measur... More

"Uncle Sam" making new arrangements, Political Cartoon

Probably issued late in the campaign, the print seems to express the growing confidence among Republicans in the election of their candidate Abraham Lincoln. It may also be that like "The National Game" (no. 18... More

Lincoln and Hamlin / designed by J.N. Hyde ; drawn on stone by D[omini...

Print shows a handsome campaign banner for Republican candidates Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin. Bust portraits of Lincoln (left, based on Thomas M. Johnston's life portrait) and Hamlin appear in oval fram... More

For president of the people, Zachary Taylor

Print shows a campaign banner for Whig presidential candidate Zachary Taylor. Although Taylor was not formally nominated by the Whigs until June 1848 he had already begun to attract a following in 1846. Here a ... More

A contested seat, US Democratic party

The life and public services of William H. Harrison / stereotyped by J...

A large Whig campaign broadside for the presidential election of 1840. Three columns of text outline the career, military accomplishments, and other distinctions of presidential candidate William Henry Harrison... More

Grand National Democratic banner, US Democratic party

Print shows a campaign banner for Democratic candidates Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks, almost identical to Currier & Ives's "Grand National Republican Banner" (no. 1876-1.) The Tilden-Hendricks banne... More

The young American schottisch - Lithograph, public domain, Library of ...

The rebound of the ball - Public domain book illustration

I object! The gentleman from Pennsylvania objects, the gentleman will ...

Another impression filed under: LOT 14099, no. 894. Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

God save American. A grand national ode in honor of the glorious anniv...

A patriotic device adorning the cover of a song arranged and adapted from "God Save the King." The device is based on the official seal of the United States. An eagle with outstretched wings holds arrows and ol... More

Set-to between the champion old tip & the swell Dutcheman of Kinderhoo...

Satire on the presidential campaign of 1836, portraying the contest as a boxing match between Democratic candidate Martin Van Buren and Whig candidate William Henry Harrison. The artist clearly favors Harrison.... More

Going the whole hog - Public domain book illustration

Martin Van Buren's New York political favorites are represented as piglets suckled by a giant sow "The Empire State." The artist's pointed reference is to the exploitation of New York State by the President and... More

Illustrations of the adventures of the renowned Don Quixote & his doug...

A burlesque history of the Jackson administration, with particular reference to his campaign to destroy the Bank of the United States. The narrative, in a series of twelve episodes, is based on Cervantes's "Don... More

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