Price: Call 618-553-2291, or email info@bonsellamericana.com
Frame Size (H x L): 14” x 18”
Flag Size (H x L): 7.75” x 11.75”

Offered is an Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson campaign flag, featuring a portrait of Lincoln in the canton. It is the first such example that we have encountered. In fact, we believe that it may very well be one of the only remaining Lincoln portrait flags, dating to 1864, in existence—if not the only one in existence. It is printed on coarse cotton. The canton and the “LINCOLN AND JOHNSON” overprint are blue and appear to have been printed simultaneously and/or with the same dye.

Campaign flags are the most desirable of all flags—particularly those featuring legendary leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ulysses S. Grant. The first campaign flags were made in 1840 and were associated with the William Henry Harrison campaign. In 1890, a bill was introduced that attempted to prevent the desecration of the flag by printing, painting, or advertising for public display or private gain. The bill failed. In 1895, a similar bill was introduced, but likewise failed. Finally, in 1905, a bill passed outlawing the use of marks and portraits on the flag, coat of arms, and other insignia of the United States. With this background in mind, campaign flags are especially difficult to acquire, because they were only made between 1840 and 1905. And in reality, most examples that surface are from an even narrower time frame between 1860 and 1890.

Lincoln flags are the crème de la crème of campaign flags, particularly those of which that include a portrait. For sure, there are rarer campaign flags, such as those related to the Polk campaign in 1844, the Scott campaign in 1852, and the Buchanan campaign in 1856, to name just a few examples. But also, for sure, no president—perhaps no person in American history, civil servant or otherwise—is as universally loved, adored, and admired as Lincoln. In turn, his campaign flags are in a category all their own.

Lincoln campaign flags were made in 1860 for the Lincoln and Hamlin ticket, and they were again made in 1864 for the Lincoln and Johnson ticket. All other things equal, for at least two reasons, this latter category is rarer and more desirable than the former. Lincoln campaign flags, like most campaign items made in 1864, are generally rarer than those made in 1860. In 1864, the country was in the middle of the Civil War, and as such, campaigns and the use of banners, flags, and ribbons was tempered. Additionally, this latter category features two presidents, instead of just one, as would be the case with most campaign flags. Lincoln served from 1860 until 1865. And following Lincoln’s assassination, Johnson assumed the presidency and served from 1865 until 1869.

THE ELECTION OF 1864
The election of 1864 was essentially a two-way race between the National Union Party candidates, Lincoln and Johnson, and the Democratic Party candidates, George B. McClellan and George H. Pendleton.

For several reasons, it initially seemed unlikely that Lincoln would be elected to a second term in 1864. The North was growing frustrated in response to the South’s victories at the Battle of Mansfield, the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Battle of Brice’s Cross Roads, the Battle of Kennesaw Mount, and the Battle of the Crater. Likewise, the North was growing frustrated with Grant’s Overland Campaign. In all instances, citizens saw nothing but death, little progress towards resolution, and no end in sight. The Copperhead’s mantra of “peace at any price,” was making more and more sense to more and more people. Those looking for an expeditious conclusion were growing increasingly frustrated with Lincoln.

To make matters worse for Lincoln, the sensitive interplay between preserving the Union and ending slavery was costing him politically, both with Northern Democrats and Radical Republicans. Northern Democrats supported the war as a means to support the Union, but they did not support it as a means for litigating issues related to slavery, a concern that kicked into overdrive following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Radical Republicans, a faction of Lincoln’s own party, supported the Emancipation Proclamation, but thought the actual emancipation was moving too slowly and further thought that Lincoln’s proposals for readmitting states to the Union were too lenient. In short, everyone was growing leery of Lincoln and his policies.

Despite these challenges, Lincoln also benefited from certain tailwinds, both militaristically and politically. Militaristically speaking, the Union was victorious in the Battle of Atlanta, suggesting that the war may conclude sooner than originally thought. It also suggested that the Union was firmly in control of its destiny. In turn, there was a significant boost in Northern morale.

Politically speaking, two factors played to Lincoln’s favor. First, the Democrats were struggling with severe internal strains and political inconsistencies. As such, McClelland lacked a solid base. Second, John C. Fremont withdrew as a candidate for the short-lived Radical Democracy Party. Following Fremont’s withdrawal, his base shifted its votes over to Lincoln, instead of McClellan. Thus, this move was to Lincoln’s political benefit.

These tailwinds propelled Lincoln and Johnson to victory with 212 electoral votes and 55% of the popular vote, as compared to McClellan and Pendleton’s 21 electoral votes and 45% of the popular vote. Lincoln’s short, but masterful, inaugural address was as follows:

At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil-war. All dreaded it -- all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war -- seeking to dissole the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern half part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope -- fervently do we pray -- that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said f[our] three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to achieve and cherish a lasting peace among ourselves and with the world. to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with the world. all nations.

Conservation Process: This flag was professionally restored. The restoration fixed the bottom of the canton, the red stripes under the canton, and portions of the hoist and fly ends. It is sewn to silk and positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: The antique frame is constructed with overlapping corner joints. The top, bottom, left, and right portions are made of tiger maple. The corners are accented with blocks made of either walnut or mahogany. It dates to approximately 1830 to 1840. It is a highly desirable antique in and of itself.

Condition Report: Following the restoration, there is a loss of some stars under the canton. The lower portion is now blue, because the number and placement of the stars is now unknown. There is small, illegible inscription on the fifth white stripe. It is unclear whether the inscription is in pen or pencil. There is minor toning and staining throughout, all of which is age appropriate. The flag is stable and presents wonderfully.

Collectability Level: The Extraordinary – Museum Quality Offerings
Date of Origin: 1864