Campaign Lantern
Object Details
- Description
- Political campaigns of the 19th century reflected popular traditions of commemoration and celebration—such as Fourth of July parades—that became familiar to many Americans in the early Republic. The mechanisms of popular politics not specifically called for in the Constitution—parties, nominating conventions, and electoral campaigns—drew freely on the evocative imagery of such festivities in promoting candidates and building the momentum of the campaign. Mass campaign spectacles arose as a way of demonstrating partisan strength and of mobilizing indifferent and easily distracted voters. The successful presidential campaign of Republican Abraham Lincoln perfected the nighttime torchlight parade in which marchers torches and lanterns, such as this one displaying an American eagle, created a sometimes provocative spectacle.
- Credit Line
- George L. and Mary E. Compton
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- date made
- 1876
- ID Number
- 1980.0482.13
- accession number
- 1980.0482
- catalog number
- 1980.0482.13
- associated person
- Washington, George
- Object Name
- Lantern
- Physical Description
- paper (overall material)
- red, white, blue, brown (overall color)
- Measurements
- overall: 16 in x 7 1/4 in; 40.64 cm x 18.415 cm
- See more items in
- Political History: Political History, Campaign Collection
- Government, Politics, and Reform
- American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith
- Exhibition
- American Democracy
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- used
- Political Campaigns
- classified
- Lighting
- Record ID
- nmah_498979
