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Catalog Data

Depicted:
Van Buren, Martin  Search this
Harrison, William Henry  Search this
Tyler, John  Search this
Benton, Thomas Hart  Search this
Calhoun, John Caldwell  Search this
Blair, Francis Preston  Search this
Woodbury, Levi  Search this
Artist:
Dacre, Henry  Search this
Maker:
Robinson, Henry R.  Search this
Measurements:
image: 9 1/4 in x 15 in; 23.495 cm x 38.1 cm
Object Name:
Lithograph
Object Type:
Lithograph
Place made:
United States: New York, New York City
Date made:
n.d.
Description (Brief):
This undated caricature of outgoing president, Martin Van Buren depicts the president seated in a cart on top of three large sacks labeled, “Globe,” “Mint Drops,” and “Solitary and Alone.” These along with the dog labeled “Cuba” under the cart represent the negative aspects of Martin Van Buren’s presidency including the Panic of 1837 and desire to establish an Independent Treasury System, the pro-Democrat propaganda paper “The Globe,” and the Amistad case involving Spain and the legality of slavery. On the cart, is a throne, crown, and scepter, an illusion to the tyrannical rule of Andrew Jackson—Van Buren’s predecessor and close advisor. Four men are shown moving the cart: Missouri Senator Thomas H. Benton, Treasury Secretary Levi Woodbury, and South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun are on the left pulling, and "Globe" Editor, Francis Preston Blair is on the right pushing. These four men were all closely aligned with both Jackson and Van Buren; their support for both the Democratic Party and its policies tarnished their political careers. Standing to the right of the cart on the steps of the White House, is newly elected president, William Henry Harrison and his Vice President, John Tyler. Both Harrison and Tyler were members of the Whig Party. The “Notice to Quit” in Tyler’s hand represents the Whig Party’s win in the Election of 1840 and Van Buren’s removal from office after just one term. Van Buren laments his loss saying: “this the reward for all of my patriotic service,” an ironic sentence given the failures he is symbolically sitting upon.
The lithographer of this print is Henry Dacre. Dacre was born in England, but worked for the lithographer, P.S. Duval in Philadelphia from 1847 to 1850.
The publisher of this print is Henry R. Robinson (1827-1877). Robinson worked in New York, and had a store to sell his prints. In 1842, he was arrested for selling obscene pictures and books leading to the September 28, 1842 court case, People vs H. R. Robinson found in the District Attorney Indictment Papers, Municipal Archives. He was politically affiliated with the anti-Jackson Whig party which was made obvious by the wig silhouette used in 1838 as an advertising logo for his shop.
Location:
Currently not on view
Subject:
U.S. National Government, executive branch  Search this
Furnishings  Search this
Architecture, Historic Residences  Search this
Communication, newspapers  Search this
Diplomacy  Search this
Pets  Search this
Carriages  Search this
Political Caricatures  Search this
Depicted:
White House  Search this
Credit Line:
Harry T. Peters "America on Stone" Lithography Collection
ID Number:
DL.60.3330
Catalog number:
60.3330
See more items in:
Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
Clothing & Accessories
Peters Political Prints
Art
Domestic Furnishings
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b5-1781-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_325562