$2,015
(Harrison, William Henry (1773-1841), The Whig Party and the 1840 Election, Campaign Presentation cane owned by Henry Bascom (1796-1850), the hardwood stick with copper ferrule and silver knop, engraved with "Tip & Ty" and etched with a log cabin in a landscape, American flag and eagle, barrel and plow and with Bascom's name, the sides mounted with silver barrel-shaped plaques inscribed "Hard Cider", lg. 33 in. (minor rubbing, varnish loss). Note: Henry Bascom was the Chaplain to Congress during the years 1824-1826. The motifs on this cane represent an attempt to belittle Harrison on his perceived frontier ways. The Whigs were delighted with this characterization of their candidate as a "man of the people" even though was raised on a grand estate in Virginia. The Log Cabin and Hard Cider campaign proved very successful in tying Harrison to the electorate.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2008-11-16
