American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Outdoor image of a large campaign lantern or decorative orb for the campaign of Benjamin Harrison and Levi P. Morton. [Zanesville, OH]: N.p., [1888]. 9 7/16 x 7 3/4 in. albumen photograph on cardstock mount (some minor toning). 

The large orb, mounted in a metal frame, features jugate portraits of Harrison and Morton with American flags, a superimposed eagle, and a log cabin, recalling the successful campaign of Harrison's grandfather, President William Henry Harrison. A device at center reads "Hinig "The Dauber." / Zanesville, Ohio." Above and below the portraits reads "Ohio / Vim, Vigor and Victory / Indiana. Maine. New-York. / Alabama. Arkansas / California. Colorado."

[With:] Indoor candid portrait of a family with a Benjamin Harrison campaign paper lantern. Norfolk, CT: Mrs. J.C. Kendall, [ca 1888]. 
7 5/8 x 4 3/4 in. albumen on boudoir card (minor toning). Photographer's stamp to verso. Faded inscription to verso reads: "Taken at night by Magnesium flash." 

A father and mother, who occupies herself with knitting, are seated in their living room as their three children play with blocks, a miniature toy kitchen, and a miniature tea set. Above them hangs a campaign paper lantern featuring the portrait of Benjamin Harrison and an American flag. The design and composition appear to be very similar to the Ulysses S. Grant campaign paper balloon (see Lot 599) produced by Sprague & French in Norwalk, Ohio. A Harrison-Morton example is held in the Cornell University Library (Susan H. Douglas Political Americana Collection, #2214. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections).