25367

1860 Abraham Lincoln Campaign Ditty Broadside

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
1860 Abraham Lincoln Campaign Ditty Broadside
<B>Fantastic 1860 Abraham Lincoln Campaign Ditty Broadside, Making Fun of his Homely Visage.</B></I> This delightful anti-Lincoln handout has such wonderful text we simply must re-produce it in its entirety: <BR><BR>Tell us of his fight with Douglas,- How his spirit never quails; Tell us of his manly bearing, Of his skills in splitting rails; <BR><BR>Tell us he's a second Webster, Or, if better, Henry Clay; That he's full of genial humor,- Placid as a summer's day; <BR><BR>Call him Abe, or call him Abram- Abraham-'tis all the same, Abe will smell as sweet as either, We don't care about the name. <BR><BR>Say he's capable and honest, Loves his country's good alone,- Never drank a drop of whiskey,- Wouldn't know it from a stone. <BR><BR>Tell again about the cord-wood, Seven cords of more per day; How each night he seeks his closet, There, alone, to kneel and pray. <BR><BR>Tell us he resembles Jackson, Save he wears a larger boot, And is broader 'cross his shoulders, And taller by a foot. <BR><BR>Any lie you tell we'll swallow.- Swallow any kind of mixture; But, oh, don't, we beg and pray you,- Don't for God's sake, show his picture! <BR><BR>The final verse is particularly significant, as this was the first election to see widespread use of photographic images of the candidates! Previously political figures had largely been able to control how they were viewed by the public, including the selection of flattering images for ribbons, medals, etc. However, the proliferation of photographic images showed them "warts and all," and Lincoln's appearance was hardly viewed as a campaign asset, as this satirical item makes clear. It measures 5" x 8.25", and is in nice condition except that it appears to have been slightly trimmed around the border. Very minor light glue stain on blank reverse has bled through ever so faintly in a couple places on the front; mentioned for accuracy. The first example of this histori