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[Weighed and Found Wanting]

Catalog Data

Depicted:
Jackson, Andrew  Search this
Van Buren, Martin  Search this
Blair, Francis Preston  Search this
Tallmadge, Nathaniel P.  Search this
Clay, Henry  Search this
Maker:
Dacre, Henry  Search this
Robinson, Henry R.  Search this
Measurements:
image: 9 5/8 in x 15 in; 24.4475 cm x 38.1 cm
Object Name:
Lithograph
Object Type:
Lithograph
Place made:
World
Date made:
n.d.
Description (Brief):
This undated print is most likely from 1839 as it depicts Kentucky Senator Henry Clay’s attempt to get the Whig Party’s presidential nomination for the election of 1840. In this print, Democratic President Martin Van Buren and Clay are depicted as sitting on opposite sides of a suspended scale. These two men were seen as the front runners for the election, but ultimately Clay lost the nomination to William Henry Harrison. The title of this print, Weighed and Found Wanting is a biblical reference found in the Book of Daniel, meaning that one’s days of reign are numbered and would soon to be brought to an end. The Whig publisher of this print, Henry R. Robinson, is speculating that Clay will outweigh Van Buren and end his reign as president. This is represented by “Globe” editor Francis Preston Blair seated at his right, encouraging Van Buren to add weight to his pockets. New York Senator Nathaniel P. Tallmadge stands beside Clay, representing his and other conservative Democrats’ decision to back Whigs over Jacksonian Democrats. Van Buren and the Democratic Party ultimately lost to the Whigs in the election of 1840, and conservative Democrats backing the Whigs greatly contributed to the outcome.
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:
Economy  Search this
Political Parties  Search this
U.S. National Government, executive branch  Search this
U.S. National Government, legislative branch  Search this
Glasses  Search this
State Government  Search this
Furnishings  Search this
Political Caricatures  Search this
Walking  Search this
Communication, newspapers  Search this
Credit Line:
Harry T. Peters "America on Stone" Lithography Collection
ID Number:
DL.60.3454
Catalog number:
60.3454
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/ng49ca746b4-ad5c-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_325690