Abraham Lincoln for President.

For president, Abram Lincoln. For vice president, Hannibal Hamlin / c. 1860
Creator: H.C. Howard

Large campaign banner for Republican presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln and running mate Hannibal Hamlin. Lincoln’s first name is given here as “Abram.” The banner consists of a thirty-three star American flag pattern printed on cloth.

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A curious look at political art and design ephemera highlighting our iconic 16th president, then presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln. From very humble beginnings, Lincoln was elected to public office after multiple political defeats and personal tragedies that would continue to plague him. He is viewed by many historians as the greatest American president. Lincoln won re-election in 1864 as the horrific Civil War was coming to a close, but tragically was assassinated by actor John Wilkes Booth the following year on Good Friday, April 14th, 1865.

Abraham Lincoln, presidential candidate / c. 1899 and c. 1909, from a photo taken in 1860
Photographer: Alexander Hesler

Reproduction of photo of Lincoln made from a negative taken in Springfield, Illinois by Alexander Hesler on June 3, 1860. One of several poses from that day. Wrote Lincoln’s law partner, William H. Herndon, “There is the peculiar curve of the lower lip, the lone mole on the right cheek, and a pose of the head so essentially Lincolnian; no other artist has ever caught it.”

Abraham Lincoln button / Tintype photograph, c. 1860
Photographer: Mathew Brady

Political campaign button for 1860 presidential election showing bust portrait of Abraham Lincoln on one side and bust portrait of Hannibal Hamlin on the other side; metal casing with thread.

Lincoln and Johnson lithograph / c. 1864
Creator: Frances Morandi

Campaign banner, designed also to serve as a shade for a political lantern or torch, advertising the Republican ticket during the campaign of 1864. The design consists of two panels with the candidates’ names on either side of a third panel with a bust portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

Grand national union banner – Liberty, union and victory / c. 1864
Created by Currier & Ives, NYC

Campaign banner for 1864 Republican presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln and running mate Andrew Johnson. A drawn curtain reveals bust portraits of the two candidates in roundels framed in oak leaves. Above the portraits is a “Temple of Liberty,” within which stands a female figure holding a staff and liberty cap. Four American flags flank the temple. Perched on the temple’s dome is an eagle with spread wings holding a banderole in his mouth and arrows in his talons. Rays of light ending in stars emanate from the temple. A vignette below the portraits shows a man plowing with a team of horses in front of farm buildings. The peace and prosperity to come with Lincoln’s re-election, evoked by this bucolic scene, are emphasized by cornucopias on either side spilling over with fruit.

[ Images & image descriptions courtesy of the Library of Congress ]
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