Presidential Campaign Lantern, 1864-1868

Summary

Late-nineteenth-century political parties rallied their supporters by holding torchlight parades. In the evening, marchers lit up the street carrying torches, lamps and lanterns. Inexpensive paper lanterns glowed with the image or name of the party's candidate or other patriotic imagery. Backers of the Union would proudly carry a lantern like this at parades during and just after the Civil War.

Late-nineteenth-century political parties rallied their supporters by holding torchlight parades. In the evening, marchers lit up the street carrying torches, lamps and lanterns. Inexpensive paper lanterns glowed with the image or name of the party's candidate or other patriotic imagery. Backers of the Union would proudly carry a lantern like this at parades during and just after the Civil War.

Artifact

Paper lantern

Date Made

1864-1868

Place of Creation

United States 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

72.31.55

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Paper (Fiber product)
Tin (Metal)
Wire

Color

Blue
Red
White (Color)

Dimensions

Diameter: 7.25 in

Height: 10.25 in

Inscriptions

UNION

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