James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States
Description
Framed Currier print of James Buchanan. Buchanan sits at center, face diagonally to the left. He wears a white button-up shirt with high collar and white bow tie under chin. Black vest with four buttons all buttoned. Black jacket with lapels, two buttons
Portrait of James Buchanan, painted by William McMaster. The artist painted this as a copy of his July 1856 Buchanan portrait after the General Election in November 1856. This portrait was commissioned by the Empire Club, which was a powerful political organization in New York during the mid-19th century. Captain Isaiah Rynders was the founder of the Club; his "sluggers" committed voter intimidation and election fraud on behalf of Tammany Hall throughout the 1840s and 1850s. The Empire Club purportedly paid McMaster $1,000 (equal to $28,571 today) to paint a copy of McMaster's July 1856 Buchanan portrait. This copy was hung in the Capitol Rotunda when Buchanan took office; however, at some point during his term, as his popularity began to sink, it was removed. Mounted in a Rococo Revival gilt wood and gesso frame with ornamental projecting corners featuring ornate scrolling foliage patterns with centre repose engraved with sculptural shells & acanthus leaves and fleur-de-lis patterns.
Framed lithographic image of John C. Breckinridge,14th Vice President of the United States. Mr. Breckinridge head and torso is facing to his right, wearing a black cravat with gold tie pin over a stock standing collar, black vest and black suit coat. Background includes the oval back to a chair, velvet red drapery and the base of a column.
Colored political print or broadside by Nathaniel Currier of New York, depicting James Buchanan and his running mate John C. Breckenridge beneath an eagle and the word "Union." Created for the election of 1855-56. Framed in a natural reddish-brown softwood frame & block corners with cream-colored window mat. Window mat reveal is 12 1/4" high by 8 5/8" wide.
President and Vice-President are depicted in 1/4-length portraits within ovals surrounded with acanthus leaves with their names below them. At top and sides is stage drapery. Above portraits is the American eagle with wings outstretched over U.S. flags and the motto "ONE COUNTRY__ONE CONSTITUTION___ONE DESTINY" above and "UNION" below. Below portraits is a female figure posing with helmet, shield and spear, below which is curling ribbon emblazoned with the words: "THE DEMOCRATS CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT FROM 1857 TO 1861."
Title at bottom reads: "GRAND NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC BANNER/ PRESS ONWARD." Above this in small print is: "Entered according to act of Congress in the (year) 1856 by N Currier, in the Clerk's Office in the Distr. Court of the Southern Distr. of N.Y." Partially hidden by the window mat is "LITHOGRAPH BY N. CURRIER, 152 NASSAU ST. N.Y."
Note: James Merritt Ives was not promoted to partner with Currier until 1857.
Provenance
Acquired from the estate sale of Anne Bausman Woodcock; descended in her family until offered for sale at Conestoga.
Generally good conditon with surface losses (silverfish?) at top right, top center, around Buchanan's face and bottom center through wording. Pressure sensitive tape two inches long visible at bottom left edge. Frame has been refinished and abraded. Recent reframing.
Object ID
P.01.58.1
Place of Origin
New York, New York
Credit
Gifted in memory of Doris Herr by her friends, Heritage Center Collection
Black and white engraving of James Buchanan. Subject is standing between a chair and a table, holding a book that is resting on the table. Signature below, with smaller print: "Engraved by permission from the original in the possession of J.C. Buttre, Esq." and additional print below it.
Printed on page torn from book "Johnson Fry and Co. Publishers, New York." Mixture of etching and engraving.
Same as preceeding print. Black and white engraving of James Buchanan. Subject is standing between a chair and a table, holding a book that is resting on the table. Signature below, with smaller print: "Engraved by permission from the original in the possession of J.C. Buttre, Esq." and additional print below it. Mixture of etching and engraving. Johnson Fry & Co., Publishers.
Dimensions are image only. Page is 10.25" x 7.125"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-06-28
Condition Notes
Darkened around edges from acid burn. Dark spots at top from tape bleed-through. Reverse has linen tape hinges remaining on top of previous taped area.
Object ID
2013.008.03
Place of Origin
New York, New York
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
Full-length mezzotint portrait of George Washington in a dignified pose, after a painting by Peter Frederick Rothermel. Washington rests one hand on a dress sword emblematic of his military leadership; the other on an upright book. He is in front of an alcove and armchair with the U. S. shield at its crest. Likely published by R. A. Bachia & Co., 12 Dey St., New York, NY in 1852.
