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  SILK KERCHIEF MADE FOR THE 1912 "BULL MOOSE" CAMPAIGN OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 31.25" x 34.25"
Flag Size (H x L): 20.25" x 23.5"
Description....:
VERY RARE SILK KERCHIEF MADE FOR THE 1912 (PROGRESSIVE PARTY) CAMPAIGN OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT, WITH A PROMINENT BULL MOOSE:

Printed silk kerchief, made for the 1912 presidential campaign of Theodore Roosevelt when he ran on the Progressive Party ticket (the Bull Moose Campaign). This whimsical textile therefore relates to not only one of the most beloved American presidents, but to a rare political incident in which this same man lost the White House, not only for himself, but for his former Republican friends as well, by splitting the vote.

Many Roosevelt kerchiefs from the 1912 campaign are fairly common in the marketplace, but this one is not. In this rare example, the typical geometric design of a western motif bandanna is made personal to T.R. by the large center medallion containing a bull moose. This is flanked by smaller medallions in each corner containing both bull moose and illustrations of his famous Rough Riders slouch hat. The presence of such a large moose makes this unlike other examples, none of which feature the mascot as prominently and many of which don't feature it at all.

A bandanna in this style resides in the collection of the Smithsonian and is documented in "Threads of History", by Herbert Ridgeway Collins, as item 939 on page 373 (Smithsonian Press, 1978). Collins served as curator of political history at the Smithsonian and his landmark text is considered the "Bible" of political flag and textile collecting.

Mounting: The kerchief has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton twill, black in color, which was washed to reduce excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was then placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding.

Condition: Excellent. There are a couple of tiny holes not much larger than a pinprick, but there are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1912
Latest Date of Origin: 1912
State/Affiliation: New York
War Association: 1898 Spanish American War
Price: SOLD
 

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