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Political Banner for Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) and Levi P. Morton (1824-1920)
1888
Atlantic Publishing Co.
USA: New York, New York City
Lithograph on cotton
frame: 27 1/4 x 28 3/4 x 3/4 in.; textile: 22 1/8 x 24 x 1/16 in.
Gift of Robert A. Frank
2001.067.18

Political campaign banner for Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) and Levi P. Morton (1824-1920); red, white, blue and black colors; legend reads "Protection" on stars and stripes design; portraits of Benjamin Harrison and Levi P. Morton in opposite corners; reads "FOR PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON FOR VICE PRESIDENT / LEVI P. MORTON."


The 1888 presidential campaign is marked by the vast number of political objects produced. Incumbent Democratic president Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) and his running mate, Allen G. Thurman (1813-1895) lost to Republicans Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) and Levi P. Morton (1824-1920). Benjamin Harrison was the grandson of president William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) who was elected in 1840. Some of Harrison's campaign textiles use nostalgia from his grandfather's election, while others reminded voters of Harrison's Civil War service. The 1888 outcome was close, with Harrison winning the presidency by electoral vote despite losing the popular vote, similar to the 2000 race between Republican George W. Bush (b. 1946) and Democrat Al Gore (b. 1948).