Benjamin Harrison
various, ca. 1888-1892
Benjamin Harrison 1888 & 1892 Presidential Campaign Ribbons Emphasizing W.H. Harrison Legacy & Republican Party Planks
Political Ribbons

Two rare and attractive pieces of political ephemera dating from the 1888 and 1892 presidential campaigns of 23rd U.S. President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), ca. 1888-1892. Various. The lot consists of two political campaign ribbons, both displayed in floating mounts and matted and framed behind glass. Not examined out of the frames. The larger of the two frames measures 8.375" x 17" x 1.5."

The lot consists of:

1. A political campaign ribbon promoting the 1888 Republican Party ticket: presidential candidate Benjamin Harrison; and vice presidential running mate Levi P. Morton (1824-1920), former U.S. Minister to France. The fabric ribbon is secured by a metal band at top, and a 2.25"-long fringe at bottom, and features three tiers of vignettes, from top to bottom: a jugate portrait of Harrison and Morton; a portrait of Benjamin Harrison's paternal grandfather, 9th U.S. President William Henry Harrison (1773-1841); and an illustration of a frontier log cabin. Ca. 1888, n.p. Expected wear including isolated discoloration and some loose threads, else very good to near fine. The actual size of the ribbon is 3.375" x 11.25" while the frame measures 8.375" x 17" x 1.5."

This campaign ribbon capitalizes on Benjamin Harrison's dual familial and political legacy. Benjamin Harrison's famous grandfather William Henry Harrison is referenced not only through the central image, but also by explicitly referring to three of the elder Harrison's major military engagements during Tecumseh's War and the War of 1812: the November 7, 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe; the September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie; and the October 5, 1813 Battle of Thames. The political ribbon also refers to one of the Republican Party's current principal planks, that of economic protectionism.

2. A political campaign ribbon promoting the 1892 Republican Party ticket: incumbent president Benjamin Harrison; and brand new vice presidential running mate Whitelaw Reid (1837-1912), newspaper editor and former U.S. Minister to France. The glossy ivory-colored ribbon is probably silk, and is bracketed by an elaborate gilt-metal repoussé lapel pin at top, and a 1.25"-long intricately coiled metal fringe at bottom. Ca. 1892. William B. Burford, lithographer (Indianapolis, Indiana). The ribbon features stacked portraits of Harrison and Reid. An American eagle appears above a banner reading "Protection / Reciprocity" at top. Light surface wear including isolated stains and one missing fringe coil at bottom, else near fine. The ribbon measures 2.5" x 9.25" while the frame measures 8.25" x 15.25" x 1.75."

"Protection and Reciprocity" were two inviolable planks of the Republican Party platform; the first referred to the protection of U.S. economic interests through the imposition of tariffs; and the second referred to granting lower tariffs to countries who had lowered theirs for the U.S. During Harrison's past administration, he had enjoyed considerable success in securing reciprocity with half a dozen nations in Latin America.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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largest frame measures: 8.375" x 17" x 1.5"