Description
Original 1896 election-year edition of The Great Campaign, or Political Struggles of Parties, Leaders and Issues by Lawrence F. Prescott, published by Loyal Publishing Co. This substantial illustrated political handbook was produced during one of the most consequential presidential campaigns of the Gilded Age and provides a fascinating contemporary look at the candidates, parties, and political controversies confronting American voters.
The elaborate original cloth binding is especially appealing, with a gilt image of the United States Capitol surrounded by four defining political issues of the era: Gold, Silver, Temperance, and Tariff. Inside, the book presents presidential candidates, party platforms, American political history, prominent statesmen, and the economic questions that dominated the 1896 election.
The title page describes the work as a “Complete Handbook of Political Information, Voter’s Guide and Instructor,” and promises a portrait gallery of former presidents and contemporary political figures. The 1896 Loyal Publishing edition is bibliographically documented as an election-year work by Prescott.
Highlights include:
* Original 1896 publication, not a modern reproduction
* Lawrence F. Prescott, author
* Loyal Publishing Co.
* Contemporary coverage of the historic William McKinley-William Jennings Bryan presidential campaign
* Major issues include the Gold Standard, Free Silver, tariffs, temperance, bond issues, and specie resumption
* Highly decorative original gilt political binding featuring the U.S. Capitol
* Portrait of William McKinley
* Portraits and illustrations of numerous presidents and prominent political figures, including George Washington, John Sherman, and James H. Southgate
* Illustrated view of the United States Senate chamber
* Party platforms and biographies of presidential candidates
* An evocative surviving artifact of American Gilded Age politics and presidential campaigning
The 1896 election’s gold-versus-silver and tariff controversies were central to the political contest, giving this contemporary handbook particular interest for collectors of McKinley, Bryan, presidential elections, monetary history, and American political memorabilia.
Condition: The original cloth binding retains strong gilt decoration and considerable visual character. There is expected age-related rubbing and edge/corner wear, with wear at the spine ends. The rear cover shows rubbing and surface wear. Interior pages have age toning and scattered foxing/spotting, with some waviness to the text block and pencil marks on an endpaper. Binding remains intact, and the book appears complete. Numerous portraits and illustrations remain well presented.
A compelling 130-year-old election-year political reference with excellent display appeal and unusually evocative cover graphics.
Please view all the photos carefully for the complete condition and contents of this historic volume.
