Frame Size (H x L): 33” x 33”
Kerchief Size (H x L): 22” x 22”

Offered is a patriotic kerchief made for the Benjamin Harrison campaign.  It is made of white silk and features a flag surrounded by a red outer border, a white middle border, and a blue inner border.   A flowing ribbon extends horizontally under the flag and states, “PROTECTION TO AMERICAN INDUSTRIES,” a theme of the 1888 Harrison campaign.  His other similar theme was “PROTECTION TO HOME INDUSTRIES.”  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.

A similar example of this kerchief is documented in the Threads of History, written by Herbert Ridgeway Collins (item number 632).  Mr. Collins was the curator of the Division of Political History at the Smithsonian Institute.  His book is the best reference available for political textile collectors and includes over fifteen-hundred examples, dating from 1775 to 1979.  The referenced example was held in the Mr. and Mrs. Boleslaw Mastai Collection, but their example had a red silk background, in contrast to the white silk background of the kerchief we are offering.  The Mastai Collection was exhibited in numerous museums and historical societies, prior to be sold through Sotheby’s in 2002.   

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.  Harrison lost the popular vote, but won the electoral vote with 233 electoral votes to Cleveland's 168.  Harrison signed into law the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890, the first legislation prohibiting business combinations in restraint of trade.  Despite this, many Americans viewed Harrison and the Republicans as being too closely aligned with the wealthy elite, and as wasteful.  Upon Harrison's election, the treasury had a great surplus, but the "Billion-Dollar Congress" spent enormous sums on soldiers' pensions and business subsidies, erasing the surplus.  By 1890, the Democrats recaptured the House of Representatives by a large majority, and in turn, Harrison had little influence on legislation.  In the election of 1892, Harrison lost the electoral vote with 145 electoral votes to Cleveland's 277. 

The thirty-eight star flag represents the inclusion of Colorado to the Union.  Colorado was admitted on August 1st, 1876 and this flag became official on July 4th, 1877.  Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and Harrison all served under this flag.  Colorado became known as the “Centennial State,” a result of becoming official just twenty-eight days after the centennial.  The official star count for US flags in 1876 was the thirty-seven star flag.  However, it was common for flag makers to produce anticipatory flags in advance of their official date, making the thirty-eight star flag—and for historical reasons, the thirteen star flag—the most common flags flown during the centennial celebrations.      

The thirty-eight star flag was official until July 4th, 1890, the time at which the forty-three star flag became official and began to represent the inclusion of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, and Idaho to the Union.

Conservation Process: This kerchief was hand sewn to cotton fabric, and both were hand sewn to a mounting board.  To prevent the black dye in the cotton fabric from seeping into the kerchief, it was first washed in a standard wash and then in a dye setting wash.  The kerchief is positioned behind Optium Museum Acrylic.

Frame: This offering is in our Large Distressed Black and Gold Frame. 

Condition Report: This kerchief is in excellent condition.

Collectability Level: The Great – Perfect for Rising Collectors
Date of Origin: 1888