1952 Press Photo Large Presidential Campaign Souvenirs Collection in New Jersey

If any political campaign managers this year are wondering about the best gewgaws and gimmicks for sparking up their candidate's chances, all they have to do is pay a visit to the home of Mrs. Damon G. Douglas of East Orange, New Jersey. A devoted hobbyist of election lore, Mrs. Douglas owns what is probably the biggest collection of presidential campaign souvenirs in the world. Not a single campaign in American history is missing, and her mementos run from Washington's time to Truman's. The memory of winners and losers alike has been carefully preserved in such times as pipes, canes, collar boxes, ties, bric-a-brac, handkerchiefs and even ladies' panties, to mention just a few. In fact, Mrs. Douglas' collection shows that electioneering was probably more energetic in days gone by than now - that is if campaign gadgets are any indication. In Lincoln's time they were selling axes with Honest Abe's name inscribed in them, and many such instruments were ground pretty hard against the opposition. In the 1880 campaign for James Garfield there were so many hotheads that helmets with oil lamps on top of them were worn for hats, accompanied by fiery oratory in the streets. The New Jersey lady's only worry at the moment is that the size of her collection may soon cramp the limited living space in her apartment. Though she started her collection just a few years ago, her wall cases and tables are now overflowing with these electioneering antiques. (Politics - Souvenirs).

Photo is dated 1952.

Photo measures 7.75 x 9.75 inches.