Category: Bill’s Blog

Bill Greenberg is Canada’s most respect political memorabilia historian. Read Bill’s blog to learn more about the history of political memorabilia

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Bill’s 6: Biggest Political Bone-Head Moves (U.S.)

Last week, I launched a blog idea that I promised when I launched the site.  The first Bill’s 6 proved to be very popular.  Here’s the follow up.  Week 1 was for Canada…here’s the one for the U.S.

In putting this list together, I want to point out that I specifically chose not to include areas of public policy.  Governments are elected to enact legislation and I have no desire to open a debate on the merits of those policies (it’s the reason “the Pardon” isn’t on the list).  That goes beyond what I’m doing with this list (besides…it could anger people and the intent of this particular list is entertain).  Also, when I launched the site, I noted that I wasn’t going to include contemporary politics.  Therefore, I am not including anything on the list about anyone or anything that could in any way be considered as a part of current politics (again…don’t want to anger people about current events).  I hope that you enjoy…

6.  Henry Wallace –  Wallace was a Republican that Franklin Roosevelt appointed as Secretary of Agriculture.  He would later appoint him as his Vice-Presidential nominee.  He proved to be a poor choice and was dropped from the ticket going into the 1944 election.  Roosevelt was re-elected as President with Harry Truman sworn in as Vice President in 1945.  82 days later, Roosevelt was dead and Truman was president.  Had Wallace not proven to be such a poor Vice President, he could very well have been President of the United States.

5.  The First 1960 Debate – John Kennedy showed up tanned and wore make up.  Richard Nixon did not.  Polls after the debate showed that people who listened to the debate on radio thought Nixon had one.  People who watched it on TV though Kennedy had won.  Many more watched it on TV.  Kennedy suddenly gained credibility as a candidate and would ultimately win the election.  Not wearing make up cost Richard Nixon the presidency.  For John Kennedy Items CLICK HERE!

4.  1948 Chicago Sun Times – Dewey Defeats Truman.  Or so said the headline the day after the election.  The polls and pundits all said it would be true.  The paper, seeing no reason to doubt it, went to press with the headline.  Except…he didn’t.  Harry Truman was elected President of the United States.  Thomas Dewey went down to defeat.  It is the most famous of all media headline screw-ups.  For Harry Truman Items CLICK HERE!

3.  Thomas Eagleton and the 1972 Vice-Presidential Nomination – If Thomas Eagleton were selected a political candidate today, no one would give it a second thought.  However, in 1972, there was a much greater misunderstanding of mental illness.  After his nomination, it was learned that Eagleton had suffered from mental illness and received a “non-conventional” form of treatment to combat it.  As a result of the lack of knowledge at the time, he was eventually forced off the ticket.  George McGovern went through a very exhaustive list of replacements, all of whom said no.  He finally got a running mate, but, by then the damage was done.  McGovern’s campaign sputtered to a smashing loss.  For George McGovern Items CLICK HERE!

2.  Gary Hart “Prove It” – There had been suspicions that Democratic presidential hopeful Gary Hart was not being faithful to his wife.  Instead of backing away he dared the media to prove he was.  The Miami Herald accepted the challenge.  The photo of Hart with his companion on the boat “Monkey Business” (tell me that’s not the most ironic name in history), ended his campaign for the presidency.  Prior to the revelations, Hart was the front runner in for his party’s presidential nomination.  He also led national polls in head to head match-ups with Republicans.  He was the only candidate presenting new ideas.  He lost it all because he couldn’t keep it zipped for a few months.  For Gary Hart Items CLICK HERE!

1.  Watergate – No list of political bone-head moves could be complete without watergate.  The scandal had two components…the actual break in and the cover up.  Both were bone-head moves…both could have made this list…combined they make number 1.  The “burglars” broke into the Democratic party’s headquarters.  They attempted to learn info from their opponents.  In the end, Nixon won with about 60% of the vote.  The info the DNC had was unnecessary to the winning campaign.  Later, President Nixon participated in the cover-up made to help higher ups in his administration.  He broke the law.  He became the only president to resign the presidency.  A meaningless, unnecessary third rate burglary led to the resignation of the most powerful man in the world.  Yup…if that’s not a bone-head move, I don’t know what is.  For Richard Nixon Items CLICK HERE!

Do you agree with my choices?  Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Bill’s 6: Biggest Political Bone-Head Moves (Canada)

As promised when I launched the I am introducing a new feature to my blog.  Bill’s 6 will be top 6 lists on a variety of topics.  This week is the first.

In putting this list together, I want to point out that I specifically chose not to include areas of public policy.  Governments are elected to enact legislation and I have no desire to open a debate on the merits of those policies.  That goes beyond what I’m doing with this list (besides…it could anger people and the intent of this particular list is entertain).  Also, when I launched the site, I noted that I wasn’t going to include contemporary politics.  Therefore, I am not including anything on the list about anyone or anything that could in any way be considered as a part of current politics (again…don’t want to anger people about current events).  I hope that you enjoy…

6.  H. H. Stevens and the Reconstruction Party of Canada – Stevens left the governing Conservative Party and formed the Reconstruction party in 1935.  While his party finished third in the popular vote in the 1935 election, Stevens was the only person elected.  The party folded in 1938 when Stevens rejoined the Conservatives.  Had he not left and formed his own party, there’s a good chance, given that he was still held in high esteem for his work in areas such as the Price-Spreads Commission, he might have been tapped to lead the Conservatives after the debacle of the 1935 election.  Had this happened, he may, very well, have become Prime Minister.  A personal opinion, but, not one without some merit (also a personal opinion).

5.  Ontario Election Ads (1999 & 2003) – This one is a multi-partisan slam.  In 1999, the Ontario Liberals ran an ad that showed leader Dalton McGuinty using the line “I’m not up for the job” multiple times.  While not the intent of the ad, repetition is the key to advertising.  It’s the line that stuck and one that the PC government repeated numerous times.  Turnabout is fair play.  In 2003, the Ontario PC government of Ernie Eves aired an ad that talked of the Premier’s handling of crises such as sars and the power outage.  While the attempt was to show leadership during difficult times, it actually had the effect of reminding voters of the crises that occurred under Eves.  Media matters and these were two CLASSIC fails.

4.  1972 “The Land is Strong” – This was the slogan for the 1972 Liberal party of Canada campaign of Pierre Trudeau.  Only, no one knew what it meant, and, many voters actually didn’t agree.  The Liberals managed to hold onto power with 109 seats to the Progressive Conservative’s 107.  The land may have been strong, but the campaign slogan was not.

3.  Joe Clark and the PC Party Leadership (1983) – In 1983, 33.1% of Progressive Conservative delegates supported dumping their leader Joe Clark and holding a leadership convention.  This meant that 66.9% of delegates supported Mr. Clark and his continued leadership (in simple terms, over 2/3 supported him).  However, for Mr. Clark, this wasn’t enough.  He resigned the leadership and announced that he would be a candidate to replace himself.  In the end, he would lose the leadership and his chances of regaining the Premiership of the nation.  He didn’t have to go, but, for some reason, he left.

2.  Lester Pearson’s “suggestion” to John Diefenbaker – Soon after winning the leadership of the Liberal party of Canada, new leader, Lester Pearson, rose in the House of Commons and demanded that new Prime Minister John Diefenbaker turn the government over to the Liberals without bothering to call an election because that’s what Canadians really wanted.  Diefenbaker, riding high in the honeymoon of his recent election, decided to ask the voters, themselves, what they really wanted.  He called an election and won 208 seats, the largest ever won by a party in an election up to that point.  Guess Pearson was wrong about what Canadians wanted.

1.  The 1993 PC Party Election Campaign – When brainstorming this list, I noticed that a number of items from the Progressive Conservative party of Canada’s 1993 election campaign were on my list.  It only made sense, then, to make their whole campaign, the biggest bone-head move in Canadian political history.  The campaign kicked off with party leader Kim Campbell informing Canadians that elections were not the time to discuss important issues.  During the campaign, she would take time off for a “mini-vacation” with her boyfriend.  She would be demolished in the debate by her unwillingness to answer questions about the country’s deficit.  The party also aired (though only once) an ad that mocked the Liberal leader’s physical condition.  In the end, the country sent the ultimate message (and one that reinforces my choice)…the party only won 2 seats.

Do you agree with my choices?  Share your thoughts in the comment section.  Next week, I’ll do my US list.

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From Protest to Power by Bob Rae

Rae, Bob.  From Protest to Power Personal Reflections on a Life in Politics.  1996, Viking.  First edition, Dust jacket.   304 pages.  Signed by former Ontario Premier and Federal Liberal leader Bob Rae.

Political memoirs (okay…probably all memoirs) are the author’s attempt to make sure that their legacy is framed in the way that they want.  They need to be taken with a grain of salt.  And, yet, for me…they are like crack cocaine.  I can’t get enough of them, and I have a hard time putting them down.  I do roll my eyes a lot at the authors interpretation of events (in the case George W. Bush’s “Decision Points” I actually laughed out loud).  When all is said and done, they are must reads for every political junkie.

This book is no exception to that rule.  Having been published in 1996, it only covers the period up to, and including his time as Ontario’s first (and only) New Democratic party Premier (confession time…I cannot wait for the inevitable volume 2).

It begins with his family’s early life in Canada and England.  It moves into his own early life.  It moves to his time at University, including his meeting and becoming roommates with a young Michael Ignatieff.  It discusses his time in school in England.  He comes back and goes to law school.  Here, his lifelong fight for his version of social justice begins.

He soon enters politics.  His time as a federal NDP MP and as opposition leader is interesting.  Fun Fact:  He moved the motion that brought down the Clark government AND the motion that brought down the Miller government (regardless of your political inclinations, you have to consider that cool – in both cases, it led, ultimately, to Liberal majority governments).

Going into the 1990 election, all the polls made it look like the Liberals would safely retain their majority.  All the parties saw it, including the NDP.  It would be Rae’s third election as leader.  He expected his party to lose and that he would retire soon after.  However, something happened.  During the course of the campaign, the polls shifted.  The NDP appeared in the lead.  The results held, making Bob Rae Premier.

The remainder of the book, Rae presents his version of events while he was premier.  He passionately defends what most consider a failed premiership.  For example, “Rae Days” are a form of job protection.  The broken promise on auto insurance was another form of job protection.  The scandals and resignations, were chalked up to inexperience.  Interspersed, he takes swipes at his successor, Mike Harris.  He does this by contrasting his government’s compassion with Harris’ bull in a China shop approach.

I love political memoirs.  This book was no exception.  I recognize that he’s trying to protect his legacy, and, yet, reading his perspective does, in fact, provide a view that, in some cases, I hadn’t considered.  All in all, this book is a must read for all the political junkies out there (as will be volume 2, when it comes out).

To see Bob Rae items in the Shoppe CLICK HERE!

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Reagan An American Story by Adriana Bosch

Bosch, Adriana.  Reagan An American Story.  2000, TV Books.  Second Edition.  Softcover.

Last week I pointed out that I really like political books by or about figures that haven’t, yet, achieved the highest office that they’re going to attain.  This week, I’m reviewing one from a category that I don’t, usually enjoy.  This book is based upon a TV documentary from The American Experience series.  I’ve found that books made from documentaries or movies tend to be superficial and less well written (those of you that have read Pierre Trudeau’s Memoirs and seen the video know EXACTLY what I’m talking about).

There are obvious reasons for this.  A documentary or movie has to flow to hold it’s audience.  It would be impossible to include everything of interest or even everything of importance.  That’s the downside to this book.

Lou Cannon, a reporter out of Los Angeles, has written three major works on Reagan.  He was interviewed extensively for the documentary.  As such, he is referenced a great deal for this book.  Having read his books, this felt like a Coles Notes version of what he has already done.

A big plus for me is that I haven’t seen the documentary.  That made this more interesting.  The American Experience was given a great deal of access to the Reagan family, and, as a result, Reagan insiders.  This provided an insight that other books haven’t had.

The book gleans over every component of his life.  His early life in IL.  His move to Ohio.  His being “discovered” by Hollywood.  His service during the war.  His time as head of the union (fun fact…Ronald Reagan is the only former union president to ever become President of the United States…this isn’t, specifically, noted in the book, but, I still find it a fun fact).  It moves to his work for General Electric and his support for Barry Goldwater in 1964.

The book then goes into his campaign for Governor of California.  It briefly discusses some of the highlights of his administration (though, some opponents do offer contrary views).

From the state house to the White House.  It touches on his runs for the Presidency and goes into highlights of his time in office.  If focuses on a few key areas.  It really doesn’t go into much detail.

The story concludes with his letter announcing his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s.

The book concludes with people reviewing his legacy.

The book is, by no means, an academic treaties.  It is, however, a fun read that gives a quick back ground of America’s 40th President.  If you’re looking for a quick read that gives some insight into the man then this book is for you.  Enjoy.

To See Ronald Reagan items available in the Shoppe CLICK HERE!

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Joe Clark The Emerging Leader By Michael Nolan

Nolan, Michael (photographs by Ted Grant).  Joe Clark The Emerging Leader.  1978 Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd.  First Edition, softcover.  139 pages.  Signed by Joe Clark.

This was a fun book.  Some of the most interesting books are ones by or about politicians before they reach the peak of their power.  This is one of those.  Published in 1978, it came out a year before Joe Clark would rise to the office of Prime Minister.

It should be noted that this book should not be used in any academic work.  It is more of a photographic book with a narrative interwoven among the pictures.  Don’t expect any great incites.  Don’t expect to learn the inner workings of an office in any great detail.  Don’t expect to gain detailed information of Joe Clark’s policies.  What you can expect is a quick read with some amazing photos.

The book begins with a chapter on the 1976 leadership campaign and the convention.  The author calls it “Everyone’s Second Choice”.  It’s an appropriate title.  As is pointed out, Clark never led until the final ballot in which he won.

From there, the book moves back to Clark’s early live.  His time in Alberta, his time in Ottawa, his return to Ottawa and his election and return to Ottawa.

It moves to the period after his election as leader.  It shows a sample period of his schedule.  It demonstrates the changes he sought to make within his party to ensure it’s election in the next election (to see more of the Liberal preparations see last weeks blog).  It shows his leadership style.  It shows his personal life with his young daughter.

The really fun part is the pictures.  The photographer clearly had access to Mr. Clark.  There are some amazing pictures of all aspects of the inside workings of Mr. Clark’s office.  There are also some great private pictures including some of him with his family.

It is for these latter reasons that I enjoyed this book.  The writing provides little insight into the man or the party he led.  It is clear, though, that the author had access inside the inner circle.  For this reason, the book is an interesting read.  The pictures offer a rare glimpse into the inside of the early Joe Clark years.  The words that accompany them are fitting and useful.  Though a quick read, it was a fun read.

Overall, as a result of great pictures, I would definitely suggest taking a look at this book.

To see the Joe Clark items in the Shoppe CLICK HERE!

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Grits by Christina McCall-Newman

McCall-Newman, Christina.  Grits An Intimate Portrait of the Liberal Party.  1982 Macmillan of Canada, First Edition, Dust Jacket.  It is signed by the author.

This book is a special kind of book.  I say this because of the way many who would pick it up, choose to read it.  It’s an “insiders” book which means that many who read it, don’t start at the beginning and read it through.  Instead, they start at the index to see if their own name appears.  Insiders, though they stay in the back rooms of politics, do want recognition.  If you considered yourself to be anybody in the Liberal Party of Canada in the 1960’s or 1970’s, you would start with the index.

The book begins with a background of the bureaucratic growth of the Government of Canada, which, given the dominance of the Liberal party, also meant the growth of a Liberal bureaucracy.  It does this by looking at the years from 1935-1957, years which Canada was governed by two Liberal Prime Ministers, William Lyon Mackenzie King and Louis St. Laurent.

The book really takes off with the arrival of Lester Pearson to the leadership of the party.  The party was decimated in the 1958 election.  This allowed new people to step in and change the direction of the party.  This is exactly what happened.  A primary focus is placed upon Walter Gordon and his followers within the party.  This period reflects a move to the left of the political spectrum for the party.  In the end, the Pearson-Gordon relationship falls apart.

Under the party’s new leader, Pierre Trudeau, a new bureaucracy emerges…The Office of the Prime Minister.  It is here that men such as James Coutts and Keith Davey flourish.  The imperial premiership was born.

If you are a fan of process books, then this book is a great read.  In fact, if you enjoy any aspect of the machinations of the back rooms of Canadian politics, you will not be disappointed.  Where you might find it falling short would be if you’re looking for an actual history of the party.  It goes into great detail on specific individuals within the governing bureaucracy, but does’t really reveal much of the overall history beyond the specific individuals under focus.  In the author’s defense, I do not believe that this was the goal.  Overall, it delivers exactly what the full title promises…this is a true intimate portrait of the Liberal Party of Canada in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

To see Liberal Party of Canada items CLICK HERE!

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Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice

Rice, Condoleezza.  Extraordinary, Ordinary People A Memoir of Family.  2010 Crown Archetype (no indication of edition), 342 pages, Dust Jacket.  Signed by the former Secretary of State.

I’m going to ruin the ending of this book review…I REALLY enjoyed reading this book and would encourage everyone who hasn’t done so, to do so.

This book is not a political memoir.  In fact, in ends with her being asked to become the national security adviser.  It is a story of a black woman (and her family) growing up in Alabama during some of the worst of 20th century segregation.  More often than not, where she discusses policy, she goes to lengths to note her disagreements with current Republicans on issues such as affirmative action.

I consider myself well read on most aspects of Canadian and American political history and history at large…especially 20th century history.  After reading this book, I realized that there is still a great deal that I don’t know.

The book is about Ms. Rice’s life up until she accepts a major position in the White House under President George W. Bush.  She lived in area and era where Blacks and Whites did not live together or shop together.  Yet, her parents went out of their way to ensure that her upbringing would appear (to her, at least) to be as normal as possible.

She also goes into great detail about her extended family, such as her aunts, uncles and cousins.  In a difficult circumstance, the entire family came together and worked together.  Many of the family and their friends were deeply involved in the civil rights movement in the 60s.  Others chose to participate in less public ways.  She was raised to believe that all people were equal.  Turn the other cheek.  Everyone can succeed if they are willing to make the effort to do so.  This is what she learned from the “Extraordinary, Ordinary People” in her life.

What makes this book so enjoyable is that it is a real life story of how one person overcame a difficult circumstance (made difficult through no fault of her own, or anyone around her).  She had a support system in place and used it.  She persevered.  She rose to serve the highest office in the land.  She never suggests that she did it on her own.  What a great message for all who start out at a disadvantage.

I would encourage everyone to go out and get this book and read it.

P.S.  Her first vote for president, in 1976, went to Jimmy Carter, the Democrat.  It’s REALLY not a partisan book.

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Collecting Sir John A. Macdonald (part 3)

As part of celebrating Sir John A. Macdonald’s 199th birthday celebration, I put together a 3 part series about collecting items pertaining to Canada’s first Prime Minister.  Part 1 was about collecting election items.  Part 2 was about collecting other items from his lifetime.  In this, part 3, I will look at more contemporary ways of collecting Macdonald items.  I will also be giving you a heads up about how you’re going to want to spend his 200th birthday (hint:  it’s in the Timmins Museum National Exhibition Centre).

Sir John A. was the first president of Manulife Financial, an insurance company in Canada.  As such, his image has been used in the company’s promotional material.  They have continued to do so.  It is a relatively inexpensive way to collect Macdonald items…various advertising items, including an item currently available in the Shoppe.

Commemorative items are also popular.  A button featuring Sir John A. and then Prime Minister Mackenzie King was produced to celebrate Canada’s golden jubilee in 1927.  More common were the various items produced for Canada’s centennial in 1967.

The Conservative party (and it’s various incarnations) have used his image.  Various riding associations through the years have produced buttons for sale as fundraisers.  As well, the party delegate badge for it’s 1927 leadership convention used his image.  In 1957 and 1958, the Progressive Conservative party produced a poster of their leader, John Diefenbaker, in front of a portrait of Macdonald.  In 1976, Flora Macdonald used a picture of herself with Sir John A. on buttons and various sizes of posters as part of her leadership campaign.  In 1983, John Crosbie, for his leadership campaign, produced a button with a picture of Macdonald, John Diefenbaker and himself (the 3 Johns).

There are numerous other items, but, I hope that the 3 parts of this series have given as broad a base as is possible for collectors to get started.

For his 200th birthday… On January 11, 2015 Canadians from coast to coast to coast will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Canada’s first Prime Minister.  My home town of Timmins, Ontario will be no exception.  In fact, Timmins will be hosting one of the most important exhibitions in the entire country to mark the occasion.

The genesis began before I even put any serious thought into launching Bill’s Political Shoppe.  It was a casual conversation with the curator of the Timmins Museum.  I asked her if she would like me to put on an exhibition of Sir John A. Macdonald items for the occasion.  She was quite excited.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that, while I have a number of items, they tend to be on the smaller side, meaning it would be a smaller exhibition.  Then it occurred to me that I could expand the exhibition to include his contemporaries.  I asked her if she would be okay with this idea.  Not only was she okay with the idea, she said that she was thinking the same thing, and added including international figures, too.  Since I collect both Canadian and American items, I would be able to include numerous US items from his time.

So…why should you make sure that you come to Timmins for the celebration?  Here’s a idea of some of the items that will be on display:  numerous original photos (including some of the rarest ones out there), some hand written letters (which are all one of a kind), some election items and other items from his lifetime.  Contemporaries will include original letters, original photos and other original items from personalities such as George Cartier, Hector Langevin, Thomas McGee, Lord Monk, Charles Tupper and many many more.  There will be items from the time of his death.  There will be items from his opponents such as Wilfrid Laurier, Edward Blake and Alexander Mackenzie.  There will be contemporary items.  There will also be US items from most of the US Presidents during his time in office including Abraham Lincoln (pre-confederation-Sir John A. led the government before hand), and Ulysses Grant.  The Timmins Museum National Exhibition Center will be the first host, and the only host on his actual birthday for an exhibition we’re calling “Sir John A. Macdonald at 200 His Life And Times A History”.  Plus, I’ll probably say a few words… I’m quite engaging.  Hope to see you all there.

Final note:  The picture for this week’s blog was taken at 24 Sussex Dr., inside the Prime Minister’s private office.  It is me standing next to an original Macdonald painting that Prime Minister Harper has hanging directly across from his desk in the office.

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Collecting Sir John A. Macdonald (part 2)

Last week I discussed collecting actual election items from Sir John A. Macdonald and his party.  Next week I’ll look at more contemporary items (as well as giving a sneak peak of how you’re going to want to spend his 200th birthday).  This week, I’m going to look at items from his life that are not election related.

The most common item, and easiest to collect is the Sir John A. Macdonald photo.  Numerous photos exist from the various stages of his career and life.  The original cabinet photo/cdv photo, while not common, are the most popular.  Macdonald usually posed for these.  At the very least, he was in the room when they were taken.  Also included in this group would be the stereocard of Sir John A.  These usually went out without any consultation.  The photo was usually purchased and then transferred to the card.  The went out without his knowledge.

The event ticket, or invitation is another great item.  Sir John A. Macdonald was a popular speaker.  Many times, printed tickets and/or invitations were produced for the events.  Sometimes, the organizers even included a picture of Macdonald.  As with actual election items, souvenir ribbons were also produced for some of these events.  If you’re looking to start a Sir John A. Macdonald collection, the items in this category are a great place to start as they are usually the least expensive.

From the least expensive, to the most expensive.  Hand written letters and other autographed items.  About ten years ago, these items sold for $400-600 Canadian.  Then, suddenly, a person purchased a cut signature (a stand alone signature that has been cut from another item) for $7800 American.  A few months after that, a hand written letter sold at a live auction in the Maritimes for $34 000 Canadian.  Not long after that, a collection of letters sold in the UK for over $250 000.  Suddenly, the values skyrocketed.  I would argue, justifiably so.  All of these items were held in Sir John A. Macdonald’s hand.  More importantly, they are all one of a kind.  You can still sometimes get his signature at a much lower price, but it does not happen as often as it once did (or as I often as I would like, as a collector).

Do you have any Sir John A. Macdonald items from his life time in your collection?  If so, tell me about it in the comment section.  Also, please post photos in the Shoppe’s Favourites page on Facebook.  I have already posted an original photo.

To see Sir John A. Macdonald items currently available CLICK HERE!

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Collecting Sir John A. Macdonald (part 1)

With Canadians about to celebrate the 199th birthday of  our first Prime Minister, Sir John Alexander Macdonald on Saturday, January 11, I thought that it would be fun to bookend the party with a discussion on how one might collect items pertaining to the father of our country.  Part 1 will be a discussion of election materials.  Part 2 will be a discussion of other Macdonald era items that can be found.  I’ll extend the bookend with a part 3 which will look at more contemporary uses of his image and name.  Plus, at the end of part 3 I will give a sneak peak of how you should celebrate his 200th birthday (trust me…you won’t want to miss it).

His last election in 1891 was 3 years before the invention of the “pinback button”.  However, that doesn’t mean that there still aren’t ways to have a piece of Macdonald in your collection.

Prior to the 1896 election (the first with pinbacks), parties still produced election material.  This is area that’s the most fun to collect…actual Sir John A. (National Liberal-Conservative party) election material.

The most common item produced was posters.  Over the course of Macdonald’s campaigns numerous posters were made.  Some focused on the leader, while others focused on candidates.  Some times, they looked at policy issues.  For the most part, they were larger than contemporary posters (after all, they were the primary source of promotion for the parties).

Ribbons were another popular item.  Just like posters, they were produced with the leader and with candidates.  Another area where they were popular, just as with buttons today, was for specific events.  A group or person holding an event with an appearance by Macdonald, sometimes produced a souvenir ribbon.

Just like today, parties produced pamphlets.  They could be for a local campaign, the provincial organization or the national campaign.  Regardless, the party would always include a picture of the leader, Sir John A. Macdonald.

Medals (coins) are the other election related material that one can associate with the elections.  Prior to buttons, parties produced medals to advocate for their candidates and leaders.  Finding original Sir John A. Macdonald election medals, especially where they use his likeness, is always a treat.

Do you have any Sir John A. Macdonald election items in your collection?  If so, tell me about it in the comment section.  Also, please post photos in the Shoppe’s Favourites album on Facebook.

To see Sir John A. Macdonald items currently available CLICK HERE.