This series includes paper ephemera related to the voter registration
and voting processes. The bulk of the series is comprised of paper ballots
intended to have been deposited by voters in ballot boxes to reflect their
choice of candidates. In the 19th century, many of these ballots were printed
by commercial printers and were heavily decorated. As the century progressed,
paper ballots increasingly were printed by governmental agencies until their
eventual replacement by voting machines. The series also contains petitions,
applications, sample ballots showing how to use voting machines, and other
instructional materials for voters
This series is comprised of three-dimensional promotional items,
ranging from tableware and glassware to matchbooks, phonograph records, and
ashtrays. As its name implies, this is a true "grab bag" category. The bulk of
Bric-a-Brac items are utilitarian in nature, and were decorated to promote or
demonstrate allegiance to particular candidates.
Susan Douglas donated a small quantity of books to Cornell, most of
which are secondary reference sources on American politics. Items in the
"Books" category will not be digitized by the Political Americana Project.
This series contains an assortment of promotional, declaratory, and
advertising items. Most of these items are made of paper, advertised particular
events or politically-related products, and were intended to have a very short
use-life. Mrs. Douglas also included some of the collection's bumper stickers
in this category.
This series is predominantly composed of combination items made of
plastic, metal, and paper. Button technology was developed by the Whitehead
& Hoag company of Newark, New Jersey, and was used extensively starting in
the 1896 Presidential campaign. Celluloid plastic was used exclusively until
the 1940s; the buttons frequently are referred to as "celluloid buttons". Many
early buttons contained actual photographic portraits. Subsequent development
of a lithographic printing technique for all-metal buttons made for less costly
manufacture, but also limited the type of imagery that could be applied. Mrs.
Douglas also included lapel tabs in this category. Almost all of the items in
this series have been cataloged as groups rather than at the item level.
This series contains political cartoons and caricatures in a number of
mediums. Many 19th century cartoons are in the form of lithographic prints.
Some of the later examples include cartoons clipped from newspapers and
Maps & Charts
This series is comprised of a series of graphic materials ranging from
representations of national politics (showing which states voted for which
candidates, etc.) to political convention floor plans. Some of these items were
published in book form, which included large fold-out maps and charts.
This series contains a wide variety of text-based materials, including
soft-covered books (particularly the "text books" issued by parties for
particular elections and campaign biographies), smaller pamphlets, periodicals,
brochures, and leaflets. Some of the items have frequent illustrations. A
limited number of invitations and advertisements also were included in this
This series contains a variety of artifacts that were carried in
political parades or other public events. They range in size from small
pennants to very large parade banners, and in form from replica axes and guns
to hats and helmets, kerosene "torch lights", lanterns, and walking sticks.
Mrs. Douglas also included a limited amount of materials advertising parade
items in this category. There is significant overlap between the "Parades" and
"Wearing Apparel" categories.
This category includes a wide variety of paper items intended to have
a short use-life, including admission tickets, membership cards, post cards,
fundraising letters and brochures, advertising cards, certificates, stationery,
and stamps. Mrs. Douglas also included stereocard and cabinet photographs and
some of the collection's bumper stickers in this category. Some of the items in
this series (particularly post card sets) have been cataloged as groups rather
than at the item level.
This series is primarily comprised of large political portrait images
intended for public or home display.
This series is primarily comprised of smaller political portrait
images intended for public or home display, although Mrs. Douglas also included
a number of two-page images from newspaper center-spreads. 19th century
lithographs and wood engravings make up a significant proportion of this
This series contains a variety of badges, most of which are at least
in part textiles. Some of the items are still associated with their original
This series includes materials facilitating song performance through
provision of song lyrics and/or musical notation. Some of the items are in book
form, gathering together several songs, while others are individual
This series is comprised of sheet music for politically-related songs
and instrumentals. Many of these items contain elaborate cover
Scrapbooks & Scrapbook Items
This series consists of 47 scrapbooks associated with particular
election campaigns, one scrapbook on textiles, and individual items of
particular note extracted from the scrapbooks. Mrs. Douglas included a
combination of primary sources (particularly portraits but also a portion of a
government document signed by Andrew Jackson) and secondary sources (especially
newspaper and magazine clippings discussing electoral history) in her
scrapbooks. Aside from extracted individual pieces, the scrapbooks will not be
digitized by the Political Americana Project.
This series contains a variety of medals, medallions, pins, pendants,
and other jewelry forms, including ferrotype portrait pins. Almost all of the
items in this series have been cataloged as groups rather than at the item
level. Mrs. Douglas artfully arranged these item groupings, frequently
incorporating materials from other categories for visual effect.
This series contains a variety of politically-related textile forms,
including bandanas, handkerchiefs, and yardage.
This series consists of a variety of politically-related costume
items, including neckties, hats and caps, suspenders, and even underwear. There
is significant overlap between the "Wearing Apparel" and "Parades"