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Trail to the Voting Booth

An Exploration of Political Ephemera

Online Exhibitions » Trail to the Voting Booth » Campaign memorabilia, or, An exercise in political branding

Campaign memorabilia, or, An exercise in political branding

Campaigns produce and distribute many items bearing the candidate’s name, likeness, and campaign slogan. Useable, consumable, and unique, the variety of memorabilia that campaigns and parties produce—and people can collect—is almost limitless.

Tobacco paraphernalia

Nat Sherman Co., “Win with Nixon” Queen-sized cigarettes, 1968, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Nat Sherman Co., "Win with Nixon" Queen-sized cigarettes, 1968, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Campaign ’72, I’m 100% for [George] McGovern” King Sized Filter Cigarettes box, 1972, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Campaign '72, I'm 100% for [George] McGovern" King Sized Filter Cigarettes box, 1972, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Billward Inc. (Wilmington, Del.), [Harry] Haskell for Mayor [of Wilmington] matchbook, 1968, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Billward Inc. (Wilmington, Del.), [Harry] Haskell for Mayor [of Wilmington] matchbook, 1968, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, Bill Doherty, Democratic candidate for Coroner matchbook, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, Bill Doherty, Democratic candidate for Coroner matchbook, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Inauguration of President [Richard] Nixon and Vice President [Spiro] Agnew” ashtray, 1969-1973, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Inauguration of President [Richard] Nixon and Vice President [Spiro] Agnew" ashtray, 1969-1973, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Food and Drink

Creator unknown, 1964 Democratic National Convention, Atlantic City, plate, 1964, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, 1964 Democratic National Convention, Atlantic City, plate, 1964, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Protect yourself vote for [Nelson] Rockefeller” potholder, circa 1964, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Protect yourself vote for [Nelson] Rockefeller" potholder, circa 1964, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Wipe out Bossism, Vote [George C.] Hering [III] for State Representative” sponge, 1966-1972, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Wipe out Bossism, Vote [George C.] Hering [III] for State Representative" sponge, 1966-1972, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “[Walter] Mondale [for President]” paper coaster, 1984, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "[Walter] Mondale [for President]" paper coaster, 1984, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Elise [du Pont for Congress]” napkin, 1984, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Elise [du Pont for Congress]" napkin, 1984, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Vote Republican” campaign cookie cutter, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Vote Republican" campaign cookie cutter, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Delaware Democratic Party” plastic cup, from the from the University of Delaware ephemera collection related to politics, policy, and government

Creator unknown, "Delaware Democratic Party" plastic cup, from the University of Delaware ephemera collection related to politics, policy, and government

Health and Beauty

Creator unknown, Vote [Elbert] Carvel for Governor nail file, circa 1948-1960, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, Vote [Elbert] Carvel for Governor nail file, circa 1948-1960, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, Dwight D. Eisenhower fan in the shape of Eisenhower’s face, circa 1955, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, Dwight D. Eisenhower fan in the shape of Eisenhower's face, circa 1955, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, E.S. Leach for Levy Court Commissioner fan, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, E.S. Leach for Levy Court Commissioner fan, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Bill Roth, A Man of Action… Let’s Keep Him” moist towelette, circa 1966-2000, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Bill Roth, A Man of Action... Let's Keep Him" moist towelette, circa 1966-2000, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Mondale/Ferraro Committee, “Mondale/Ferraro, They won’t rub you the wrong way!” nail file, 1988, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Mondale/Ferraro Committee, "Mondale/Ferraro, They won't rub you the wrong way!" nail file, 1988, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Chris Castagno, [New Castle] County Executive” soap bar, 2004, from the University of Delaware ephemera collection related to politics, policy, and government

Creator unknown, "Chris Castagno, [New Castle] County Executive" soap bar, 2004, University of Delaware ephemera collection related to politics, policy, and government

Creator unknown, [Daniel T.] Pennell, [Jr.,] for [State] Senate comb, 1970, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, [Daniel T.] Pennell, [Jr.,] for [State] Senate comb, 1970, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, Robert P. Maclary for [New Castle] County Treasurer lipstick tissue, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, Robert P. Maclary for [New Castle] County Treasurer lipstick tissue, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Items geared toward children

Bo-Lo (Atlanta, Ga.), “Vote Republican. [Caleb] Boggs for U.S. Senate, John W. Rollins for Governor” paddle ball, 1960, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Bo-Lo (Atlanta, Ga.), "Vote Republican. [Caleb] Boggs for U.S. Senate, John W. Rollins for Governor" paddle ball, 1960, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, JFK Coloring Book, circa 1961, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, JFK Coloring Book, circa 1961, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Peaceable Planet, Inc. (Savannah, Ga.), Plush elephant, 2000, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Peaceable Planet, Inc. (Savannah, Ga.), Plush elephant, 2000, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

R. Dakin & Co., Elephant hand puppet, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

R. Dakin & Co., Elephant hand puppet, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, GOP plastic mail-in bank, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, GOP plastic mail-in bank, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Paper products and office items

Creator unknown, “Write with Ike [Eisenhower] in ’56” ball point pen, 1956, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Write with Ike [Eisenhower] in '56" ball point pen, 1956, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Gwynne Smith Republican, Representative 10th District” sticker, 1974, from the Gwynne P. Smith papers

Creator unknown, "Gwynne Smith Republican, Representative 10th District" sticker, 1974, Gwyenne P. Smith papers

Creator unknown, Nixon family postcard, from the Robert J. Voshell collection of Delaware political ephemera scrapbooks

Creator unknown, Nixon family postcard, Robert J. Voshell collection of Delaware political ephemera scrapbooks

Creator unknown, Biden family postcard, circa 1972, from the Robert J. Voshell collection of Delaware political ephemera scrapbooks

Creator unknown, Biden family postcard, circa 1972, Robert J. Voshell collection of Delaware political ephemera scrapbooks

Creator unknown, “[Dian King] Wohlken for Mayor [of Wilmington] ’88” pencil, 1988, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "[Dian King] Wohlken for Mayor [of Wilmington] '88" pencil, 1988, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Please Re-elect Colin Bioini – Your State Senator” postcard, from the Robert J. Voshell collection of Delaware political ephemera scrapbooks

Creator unknown, "Please Re-elect Colin Bioini - Your State Senator" postcard, Robert J. Voshell collection of Delaware political ephemera scrapbooks

General memorabilia

Creator unknown, “[Walter] Bacon for Governor” thimble, 1940-1948, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "[Walter] Bacon for Governor" thimble, 1940-1948, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Sew You’ll Remember Clayt Harrison for Recorder of Deeds” thimble, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Sew You'll Remember Clayt Harrison for Recorder of Deeds" thimble, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Ike and Dick Sure to Click” holographic photograph in frame, 1952, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Ike and Dick Sure to Click" holographic photograph in frame, 1952, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Nixon and Lodge” feather, 1960, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Nixon and Lodge" feather, 1960, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Whistle with Dick” Richard Nixon whistle, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Whistle with Dick" Richard Nixon whistle, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Click with Dick” [Richard] Nixon for President clicker/noise maker, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Click with Dick" [Richard] Nixon for President clicker/noise maker, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “[Andrew] Casey for [New Castle] County Council 2nd District” keychain, circa 1970s, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "[Andrew] Casey for [New Castle] County Council 2nd District" keychain, circa 1970s, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Re-elect C.E. “Pete” Hughes for State Senate” plastic token, circa 1970s, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, "Re-elect C.E. "Pete" Hughes for State Senate" plastic token, circa 1970s, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, President [Ronald] Reagan balloon, circa 1980s, from the Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, President [Ronald] Reagan balloon, circa 1980s, Jerome O. Herlihy political campaign ephemera collection

Creator unknown, “Terry Pepper for Levy Court at Large” magnet, from the University of Delaware ephemera collection related to politics, policy, and government

Creator unknown, "Terry Pepper for Levy Court at Large" magnet, University of Delaware ephemera collection related to politics, policy, and government

Online Exhibitions » Trail to the Voting Booth » Campaign memorabilia, or, An exercise in political branding