Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Sold Flags



  PAIR OF KERCHIEFS FROM THE 1904 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: ROOSEVELT VS. PARKER

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 35.5" x 27" (each)
Flag Size (H x L): 25" x 22.5" (each)
Description....:
PAIR OF KERCHIEFS FROM THE 1904 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: ROOSEVELT VS. PARKER

(1) JUGATE PORTRAIT KERCHIEF, MADE FOR THE 1904 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND CHARLES WARREN FAIRBANKS:

Printed cotton kerchief, made for the 1904 presidential campaign of Theodore Roosevelt and Charles Warren Fairbanks. This jugate portrait variety (meaning that both candidates are pictured) is, without doubt, one of the most graphic and colorful designs among all known styles of political bandannas. Images of the two men appear in oval medallions, flanked by billowing flags, commissioning pennants, and a patriotic shield, on top of which is perched a large, spread-winged eagle. These appear over a background of falling stars. The text reads as follows:

For
President
Theodore Roosevelt
1904

For
Vice President
Charles Warren Fairbanks
1904

Under this is the campaign slogan:

"Protection to American Industries"

which had been used most prolifically on campaign textiles by Benjamin Harrison in 1888. The pro-American theme, however, aimed at limiting both trade and the number of new immigrant workers, carried itself through several elections. It is interesting to note that it is hardly a novel idea, having been continually revisited from the mid-19th century through the present.

An example of this kerchief is documented in "Threads of History: Americana Recorded on Cloth, 1775 to the Present", by Herbert Ridgeway Collins, Smithsonian Press, 1979 (item 863, pg. 346). This is the best text on American political textiles. Collins formerly served as Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian Institution. A similar, yet different kerchief, just as colorful and embellished, was made as a mate for the campaign of Alton Parker and Henry Davis. The Parker-Davis version is also documented (item 872, pg. 349).

Charles Fairbanks was, in some ways, as different from Roosevelt as one could possibly get. Reserved, soft-spoken, and a hard-line conservative, the Ohio-born Illinois senator was nicknamed the "Indiana Icicle". Born in a Log Cabin, Fairbanks would rise to become an attorney and eventually a railroad financier, serving as a chief counsel for mogul Jay Gould. He was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1896.

Fairbanks was as good a balance as any, geographically, politically, and personally, to the progressive and outspoken, Rough-Rider from New York. Roosevelt appealed to members of both political parties, Fairbanks leveled out the ticket for hard-line, right-wing Republicans, and also solidified support in the growing and politically-important mid west. Only the firmly Democratic south voted firmly in opposition.

Democrat opponent, Alton B. Parker, was born in Cortland, New York. He was an attorney who practiced law in Kingston, New York before serving as a justice of the Supreme Court of New York from 1885 to 1889, then as Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1898 to 1904. In 1900 he ran for vice president under William Jennings Bryan, who lost to the William McKinley and Roosevelt ticket.

Parker's running mate, Henry G. Davis, became a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1865, just after its separation from Virginia (in 1864). He became a state senator in 1869 and in 1871 was elected to the United States Senate, serving two terms, with his service ending in 1883. At age 80, Davis was (and is) the oldest person to be nominated for President or Vice President on a major party ticket.

Parker was a conservative among his party members and his nomination of Davis would help carry the southern vote, but the two men were no match for the supreme popularity of Roosevelt.

Mounting: The kerchief was stitched to a background of 100% cotton, black in color, which has been 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. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: The original blue color has faded to grey with a bluish hue and there is light overall fading of the other colors.

(2) JUGATE PORTRAIT KERCHIEF FROM THE 1904 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF ALAN PARKER & HENRY DAVIS:

Printed on cotton, this elaborately decorated kerchief was made for the 1904 presidential campaign of Democrats Alan Brooks Parker and Henry Gassaway Davis. Two oval medallions in the center contain portraits of each man, drawn forth between two draped American flags. Above them is a huge, upside-down star, the upright arms of which have unusually exaggerated length. Falling between and below the portraits are more stars and streamers. There is a shield at the top of each oval, below which are the words:

For President
Alan B. Parker
1904

For Vice President
Henry G. Davis
1904

Below is a large, fork-tailed sash, on which the following slogan appears:

"Good Government for the People"

Some political bandanas were produced by one maker, in the same style, for two opposing candidates. In this case a similar, yet different kerchief, just as colorful and embellished, was made as a mate for the campaign of Theodore Roosevelt and Charles Warren Fairbanks. It could be successfully argued that there are not two more striking, colorful, or more patriotically whimsical kerchiefs in all of political textile collecting. There are other great examples, and there are bandanas that are much more rare, but from a purely graphics standpoint, this pair is short-listed among the very best of all those known to exist.

An example of the Parker-Davis kerchief is documented in "Threads of History: Americana Recorded on Cloth, 1775 to the Present", by Herbert Ridgeway Collins, Smithsonian Press, 1979 (item 872, pg. 349). This is the best text on American political textiles. Collins formerly served as Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian Institution. The Roosevelt-Fairbanks example is also documented (item 863, pg. 346).

Roosevelt beat Parker, by 56.4% vs. 37.6% in the popular vote, and by 336 vs. 140 in the Electoral College.

Mounting: The kerchief has been hand-stitched to 100% cotton, black in color. The black fabric 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. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is u.v. protective.

Condition: The original blue color has faded to grey with a bluish hue and there is light overall fading of the other colors. There is a dark brown ink stain in each lower corner. There is very minor staining and foxing throughout.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1904
Latest Date of Origin: 1904
State/Affiliation:
War Association:
Price: SOLD
 

Views: 2904