1908 Wm J Bryan Campaign Postcard anti-GOP Taft Public Sale Like an Auction Bill
Specifications
| All Returns Accepted | ReturnsNotAccepted |
| Type | postcard |
| Year | 1908 |
| Slogan | Public Sale of the GOP |
| Theme | Politics |
| Material | paper or cardstock |
| Country/Region | United States |
| Country/Region Of Manufacture | United States |
This standard size postcard harkens back towards all the 19th Century Salt River items concerning the opposing candidate or party which would lose an election. This creative card makes it look like a farm auction handbill which lists all the items offered at a public sale. Tongue firmly-in-cheek, in this case, on March 4, 1909, (which would be the next Presidential Inauguration Day), democrat William Jennings Bryan's supporters predict such a sale held at the White House after Bryan moves in and republican president, Theodore Roosevelt, moves out. Republican Platforms, Dinner Pails and numerous Teddy Bears are listed for sale but this is against William H. Taft, as well. There are several different versions of this card, and the idea really caught on in the 1930's-'50's from FDR to Eisenhower when various presidents were to hold similar clearance sales at the Executive Mansion after they moved in. Regular sized, auction spoof items on cardboard and paper appeared during these times as election jabs to hang on a partisan's wall as a jest. But this postcard pre-dates those bigger items by a couple of decades. Printed by William L. Martin of Geneva, Nebraska, he's NOT the same guy as William "Dad" Martin who did all those creative exaggeration real photo postcards. That man was out of Kansas. This is in nice condition but please look at our images to judge this for yourself so that you can be happy with your purchase. We are members of APIC and only sell authentic presidential (and other collectible) material, so buy with confidence. And even though eBay claims we don't, we'll be happy to combine shipping costs on multiple purchases. We just have to do it via a refund. S & H on this will be $5.50, first class with tracking, carefully packed. 8381 We returned from the northeastern part of the U.S. where we purchased another top-notch political postcard collection from a life-long specialist and friend. PLUS we're still selling out of the collection of our mid-west friend! Since many of their cards are duplicates of our own, we feel it is important to offer them back into the collector market, so that others continue having the fun of discovery and pride of ownership that we three have experienced over the decades. Hopefully you can find a gem or two to add to your own collection, so check our eBay store over time for this great opportunity for adding to your collection. Our collecting interests fall into all categories of presidential campaign material, but postcards remain at the top of the list. Like buttons, their graphics can be spectacular. But they have the added advantage of being able to contain a lot more of it with much more diverse art. They may relate to a specific person or event or articulate opposing campaign slogans. Many can be "mated-up" with an example for another candidate: the 1912 pennant cards have seemingly endless color combinations, images and slogans so you'll never have them all, which keeps your quest alive. Some have "coattails" and are geographically specific or contain "hopefuls" or are from a person's early career. One can simply collect their favorite candidate. In history, the 1908 election occurred at the height of the overall postcard craze by the public, so one can acquire a massive collection for that year alone. Cards can be one-of-a-kind real photos, printed photos or lithographs while others are part of a set. Some are cross-collectibles involving baseball, other sports, artists, causes or holidays. They can show one or more candidates - often even the opposing candidates - which one rarely finds on pins. Just remember this: if it doesn't have a printed place for a stamp and an address or wasn't machine-mailed like most modern examples, by definition it ISN'T a postcard. Having it used through the mail confirms its history (if you're worried about reproductions) and adds to its depth. Be aware that condition may be part of the mailing: it's important and can affect the value. But being obsessed and possessed like many button fanatics over obtaining perfect condition examples can be time wasted from the joy of collecting. Cards are much more personal than pins. You know they were handled, way back when, and are also meant to be today (using care). If folding or mechanical, they MUST be touched and worked to fully appreciate them. Many backs contain a political message or show a postmark nailing down a small town or date. Some show a particular moment in American history: a meeting of great individuals or the last days or hours of a person - often the president. Others then show the early days of his successor. Pins don't often show that. Many cards have anti-cartoons - their great, artwork barbs and blurbs are classic political fun; sarcastic, creative, witty and sometimes suggestive, as being rendered by the famous or not-so. Pro-examples can gush enthusiastically. Some reflect America's socially or racially questionable past from which we may learn. Others show an obscure candidate and were printed in rather limited numbers. Postcard evolution from the late 19th-century to the oversize mailers of today can be displayed in one tray. Can you tell we love 'em! Therefore, we're listing a broad selection to pique your interest and show what we mean about how great, diverse and wonderful these relatively affordable political collectibles are. Most of all, have fun with them. Postcards were meant to be FUN.
