Susan H. Douglas political Americana collection, [1783?]-1968, 2009.
Collection Number: 2214

This series includes paper ephemera related to the voter registration and voting processes. The bulk of the series is comprised of paper ballots intended to have been deposited by voters in ballot boxes to reflect their choice of candidates. In the 19th century, many of these ballots were printed by commercial printers and were heavily decorated. As the century progressed, paper ballots increasingly were printed by governmental agencies until their eventual replacement by voting machines. The series also contains petitions, applications, sample ballots showing how to use voting machines, and other instructional materials for voters

Bric-a- Brac: This series is comprised of three-dimensional promotional items, ranging from tableware and glassware to matchbooks, phonograph records, and ashtrays. As its name implies, this is a true "grab bag" category. The bulk of Bric-a-Brac items are utilitarian in nature, and were decorated to promote or demonstrate allegiance to particular candidates.

Books: Susan Douglas donated a small quantity of books to Cornell, most of which are secondary reference sources on American politics. Items in the "Books" category will not be digitized by the Political Americana Project.

Broadsides: This series contains an assortment of promotional, declaratory, and advertising items. Most of these items are made of paper, advertised particular events or politically-related products, and were intended to have a very short use-life. Mrs. Douglas also included some of the collection's bumper stickers in this category.

Buttons: This series is predominantly composed of combination items made of plastic, metal, and paper. Button technology was developed by the Whitehead & Hoag company of Newark, New Jersey, and was used extensively starting in the 1896 Presidential campaign. Celluloid plastic was used exclusively until the 1940s; the buttons frequently are referred to as "celluloid buttons". Many early buttons contained actual photographic portraits. Subsequent development of a lithographic printing technique for all-metal buttons made for less costly manufacture, but also limited the type of imagery that could be applied. Mrs. Douglas also included lapel tabs in this category. Almost all of the items in this series have been cataloged as groups rather than at the item level.

Cartoons: This series contains political cartoons and caricatures in a number of mediums. Many 19th century cartoons are in the form of lithographic prints. Some of the later examples include cartoons clipped from newspapers and magazines.

Maps & Charts: This series is comprised of a series of graphic materials ranging from representations of national politics (showing which states voted for which candidates, etc.) to political convention floor plans. Some of these items were published in book form, which included large fold-out maps and charts.

Pamphlets: This series contains a wide variety of text-based materials, including soft-covered books (particularly the "text books" issued by parties for particular elections and campaign biographies), smaller pamphlets, periodicals, brochures, and leaflets. Some of the items have frequent illustrations. A limited number of invitations and advertisements also were included in this category.

Parades: This series contains a variety of artifacts that were carried in political parades or other public events. They range in size from small pennants to very large parade banners, and in form from replica axes and guns to hats and helmets, kerosene "torch lights", lanterns, and walking sticks. Mrs. Douglas also included a limited amount of materials advertising parade items in this category. There is significant overlap between the "Parades" and "Wearing Apparel" categories.