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Vintage American 39-Star
Vintage American 39-Star

Vintage American 39-Star "Protection" Benjamin Harrison Political Kerchief, 1888

$ 250.8

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • Item must be returned within: 14 Days
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • Year: 1888
  • Condition: In very good condition, with only light fading of colors and very minimal staining along the border. Horizontal and vertical creases from past storage. Printed in blue and red ink on white linen. Edged with a running stitch in white thread.
  • Material: Linen
  • Dimensions: 18"H x 18" W

    Description

    Presented is a printed linen political kerchief for Benjamin Harrison, from his 1888 Presidential campaign. The kerchief features a waving 39-star American flag at the center of a white field, with the word “Protection” printed in blue on a white stripe. The flag’s canton is printed in medium blue, with 39 five-pointed white stars. The stars are arranged in six rows, with a 6/7/6/7/6/6 star configuration. Thirteen red and white stripes complete the flag design. The kerchief is bordered with a patriotic stars and stripes design, featuring a ring of 18-star American flags.
    Campaign kerchiefs were initially produced beginning in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, but became a particularly popular campaign tool in the time period between 1850 and 1920. Campaign kerchiefs were worn, presented in store fronts, waved in parades, flown at political rallies, and hung from buggy whips.
    Harrison was a moderate Republican, and elected the 23rd president in the election of 1888. Harrison ran against Grover Cleveland, the incumbent President and a Democrat. The central themes of Harrison's campaign were nationalism and tariff protection.