Political
"President Zachary Taylor Born in 1784, Died July 9th, 1850" Color Embossed "Mourning" Ribbon
1850 ZACHARY TAYLOR, Color Embossed Memorial Mourning Ribbon, "THE LAST COHERENT WORDS OF THE VENERABLE PATRIOT, PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR...," Sullivan-Fischer ZT-M1, Fine.
This Color Zachary Taylor Mourning Ribbon measures 8" x 4" being printed on period white waxed cotton textile. From the top down, this Ribbon displays a gold gilt American Heraldic Eagle clutching a red, white and blue American Flag in its talons. Below is a gold gilt Portrait of Taylor with the memorial legend, "President Zachary Taylor Born in 1784, Died July 9th, 1850" in black ink surrounded by gilt scrollwork. Beneath the portrait is a black funerary urn, and at the bottom: "THE LAST COHERENT WORDS OF THE VENERABLE PATRIOT, PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR - 'I die - I am expecting the summons - I am ready to meet death - I have endeavored to faithfully discharge my duty - I am sorry to leave my friends!'". Some foxing at the margins, principally at the bottom, otherwise a nice, presentable item. This is a very unusual Mourning Ribbon and perhaps the only one of the period, even of the campaign ribbons, that combines embossing, gilting, and the red, white, and blue American colors. This makes it an extremely desirable early ribbon and a prize for the advanced collector.