Etching, 14 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. Small chip in the lower left corner at margin; remnants of mounting tape affixed on verso to top corners, otherwise near fine. A rare print satirizing the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 1817, and the fight for the nomination of the Democratic- Republican party between William Findlay and Charles Hiester. William Murrell attributes the print to William Charles, who clearly favors Findlay and charges Hiester with various forms of corruption. There is no imprint in the etching, only the words, "designed and executed by one who has neither place nor pension." The 1817 election marked Pennsylvania's first open political convention, and this print exposes the supposed purity and impurity of the two sides. Findlay is shown ascending on clouds toward the governor's chair, as his supporters (gathered around a platform or a ballot box) cheer him on as the "voice of the people," and the candidate of "true democracy" who was free of "bribery or corruption." Hiester is shown on the right side of the print, standing on a shaky foundation of "Federalism" and "Old Schoolism," which is further supported by stacks of the UNITED STATES GAZETTE and AURORA newspapers. Hiester's supporters appear downtrodden and reconciled to defeat, saying "we must have recourse to all kinds of stratagem or we cannot succeed," and "I would vote for Old Nick provided I could get a good office." Findlay won the Democratic- Republican nomination for governor over Hiester by a vote of 113 delegates to 39, and won the election of 1817, but he was defeated by Hiester in his bid for reelection in 1820. This is one of two states of the print, with the addition of "roulette" (or "rocker work") to reinforce the shading. OCLC locates only four copies of this print, at the American Antiquarian Society, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan and the Library of Congress. Reilly notes that the Library of Congress has copies of the print in both states: one with and one without the roulette shading. Rare, and a very effective satire on an obscure but important political contest. MURRELL, p.95. WEITENKAMPF, p.20. REILLY, AMERICAN POLITICAL PRINTS, 1817-1. OCLC 191119823. Seller Inventory # WRCAM58738

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: DEMOCRACY AGAINST THE UNNATURAL UNION. TRIAL...

Publisher: William Charles, [Philadelphia?

Publication Date: 1817

Store Description

ABAA-ILAB

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

William Reese Company - Americana
409 Temple Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, U.S.A.

Terms of Sale:

Terms of Trade
All initial queries concerning items listed on ABEBooks.com by William Reese Company must be made via e-mail.

All material offered herein is offered subject to prior sale and is shipped subject to approval, but notification of return must be made within thirty days and returns made in a prompt and conscientious fashion. New customers are asked to prepay, or supply ABAA/ILAB references. Payment may be made by check, wire transfer or bank draft, and we also accept Visa and MasterCar...

More Information

Shipping Terms:

Orders usually ship within 3 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Payment Methods
accepted by seller

Check Money Order Bank Draft Bank/Wire Transfer

Add to Wants