2024 Holiday Gift Guides: Gifts for the Political Historian
We've rounded up some of the most interesting and illuminating political debates, campaign posters and memorabilia, and important antique books that tell the story of the founding of our Nation's government. Receiving any of these gifts during the holidays is sure to delight any political history buff.
"Votes for Women" Pennant, Early 20th Century
Top of our gifting list is this rare, early 20th century American “Votes for Women” pennant. "Votes for Women" was one of the most frequently used slogans throughout the woman's suffrage movement and yellow was the National American Woman Suffrage Association's official color. The organization created a variety of pennants, banners, and sashes, similar to this example, to be used at rallies, marches, and protests. Often handmade, these pennants reflect the grassroots nature of the suffrage movement. But as a result of the temporal nature of parade and protest pennants, very few of these exist on the market today.
A wonderfully entertaining, often surprising history of presidential taste, from the grim meals eaten by Washington and his starving troops at Valley Forge to Trump’s fast-food burgers and Biden’s ice cream—what they ate, why they ate it, and what it tells us about the state of the nation—from the coauthor of Julia Child’s best-selling memoir My Life in France.
Theodore Roosevelt "Hat in the Ring" Bandana, Circa 1912
This is an original Theodore Roosevelt campaign handkerchief from the 1912 Presidential election. The red and white handkerchief features a caricature of Roosevelt in a slouch hat and monocle printed in the border along the outside of the design. At center, his initials, “TR,” form a ring around his iconic rimmed hat, a symbolic nod to his famous February campaign announcement, "My hat is in the ring."
Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, Limited Edition, 1894
This is a special limited edition printing of the political debates of Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. The series of seven debates between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln during the 1858 Illinois state election campaign was among the most significant statements in American political history. The issues they discussed were not only of critical importance to the sectional conflict over slavery and states’ rights but also touched deeper questions that would continue to influence political discourse. As Lincoln said, the issues would be discussed long after “these poor tongues of Judge Douglas and myself shall be silent.”
The Memoirs of Richard Nixon, Signed and Inscribed, First Edition, 1978
Consider gifting this first edition printing of The Memoirs of Richard Nixon, signed and inscribed by Richard Nixon. This autobiography of the former-president details the entirety of his life through his resignation. Richard Nixon is still the only person to have resigned from the office of the President, leaving this autobiography the only firsthand account of such an incident.
Vintage William Howard Taft and James Sherman Campaign Glass Paperweight, 1908
Consider gifting this vintage William H. Taft and James S. Sherman presidential campaign glass paperweight from 1908. The clear glass paperweight has a flower form, with a printed and enameled political jugate at the bottom. Two oval black and white portraits of Taft and Sherman are surrounded by an illustrated laurel wreath border, the candidates named in the scrolling banners below. The portraits are surmounted by a spreadwing eagle with the U.S. shield and sword, as well as blue and white American flag bunting.
Presented is a scarce, first edition printing of Volume I of Journals of Congress. This volume is a vital document of the proceedings and official records of the First and Second Continental Congress from September to October 1774, and the first seven months of the Second Continental Congress, from May to December 1775. The volume was published by order of Congress and printed and sold by R. Aitken in Philadelphia, in 1777. It includes details of debates, resolutions, petitions, and important decisions made by the Continental Congress and contains the first publication of many key revolutionary texts.
The Ladies of the White House; Or, In the Home of the Presidents by Laura C. Holloway, 1881
Offering in-depth biographies on the First Ladies and their influence, this 1881 book boasts “a complete history of the social and domestic lives of the Presidents from Washington to the present time 1789-1891.” It is presented here in glorious, period black and gilt-stamped red cloth boards, illustrated throughout with numerous steel and wood engravings. A true collectable and great holiday gift!
"Kennedy for President. Johnson for Vice President" Vintage Campaign Poster, 1960
This is an original 1960 campaign poster for Democratic-nominees John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, elected as our 35th President and 37th Vice President. This poster was an integral part of their campaign in 1960.
