| Creator |
Currier & Ives. |
| Title |
Political "Blondins" crossing Salt River [graphic]. |
| Publisher |
New York : Published by Currier & Ives, 152 Nassau St |
| Publisher |
PA. Philadelphia. 1860 |
| Date |
1860 |
| Physical Description |
1 print : lithograph ; sheet 35 x 46 cm (13.5 x 18 in.) |
| Description |
Cartoon lampooning the perilous nature of the platforms of the 1860 presidential candidates caused by the divisive issue of
the extension of slavery to the territories. Depicts the candidates' various methods to cross the "Salt River" (i.e., political
disaster) between the "North" and "South." Republican Abraham Lincoln, near the "South," wobbles at the end of a too short
rail. The rail, balanced on the "Abolition Rock," is unsuccessfully weighed down by the precariously balanced "Tribune" editor,
Horace Greeley. Lincoln curses Greeley who is "accustomed" to the "Salt River." Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas attempts
to balance on the tightrope "Non Intervention," and yells for "Help" from the excessive weight of "Squatter Sovereignty" on
his balancing pole. Southern Democrat Samuel Breckenridge rides the shoulders of the President and "old public functionary"
James Buchanan as he crosses the tightrope "Slavery Extension." Constitutional Unionists John Bell and running mate Edward
Everett stand on the "Constitutional Bridge" mocking and pitying the other candidates who are not satisfied with the bridge
built by the "patriots of 76" which connects the "two shores in an indissoluble bond of union."
|
| Is referenced by |
Weitenkampf, p. 124 |
| Notes |
Title from item. |
|
Date from copyright statement: Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1860, by Currier & Ives, in the Clerk's office
of the District Court, for the Southn Dist of N.Y.
|
|
Manuscript note on recto: "Blondin celebrated for having walked over Niagara Falls on a tightrope, gave the idea for this
caricature." On June 30, 1859, Jean Francois Gravelet Blondin, a professional tight-rope artist trained under P.T. Barnum,
was the first man to successfully cross the falls.
|
|
Description revised 2021. |
|
Access points revised 2021. |
|
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom
Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
|
| Subject |
Bell, John, 1797-1869 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Blondin, 1824-1897 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Douglas, Stephen Arnold, 1813-1861 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Everett, Edward, 1794-1865 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Antislavery movements -- United States. |
|
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1860. |
|
Slavery -- United States -- Extension to the territories. |
| Genre |
Anti-abolition prints -- United States -- 1860-1870. |
|
Lithographs -- 1860-1870. |
|
Political cartoons -- 1860-1870. |
| Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Political Cartoons - 1860-30W [6428.F] |
| Accession number |
6428.F |
