Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Political Bandanna for Winfield S. Hancock (1824-1886) and William H. English (1822-1896)
1880
Hugh McCrossan; Joseph Laing, lithographer
USA: New York
Lithograph on cotton
overall: 17-l/2"h x 18"w; frame: 19-7/8"h x 20-7/8"w
Gift of Robert A. Frank
2001.067.2

Political campaign bandanna for Winfield S. Hancock (1824-1886) and William H. English (1822-1896); red, white, and blue border of American flags and stars; black and white portraits of Hancock and English beneath liberty dome and draped flags; horse and rider, eagle and building under portraits; at lower right in print reads "Joseph Laing, Lith. 10 & 12 Dey St. New York"; at lower center in print reads "Copyright 1880 by Hugh McCrossan"; wooden frame with glass.

The 1880 election brought out few major issues, but did see high voter turnout. Republican James A. Garfield (1831-1881) and his running mate Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886) won by less than 10,000 votes over Democrats Winfield S. Hancock (1824-1886) and William H. English (1822-1896). The lithographer made textiles in this style and colorway for the candidates of both parties. The symbols around the portraits differ on each in order to highlight notable characteristics for the respective candidates. On this one, soldiers and a Southern landscape highlight Hancock's service as a Union general during the Civil War.