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The great American steeple chase for 1844 – Historic Reproduction

The great American steeple chase for 1844, 1843 — antique lithograph
The great American steeple chase for 1844, 1843. Antique lithograph from the Historic Print Archive collection.

(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)

Description

This antique lithograph of The great American steeple chase for 1844 brings a moment of history to your wall. The original is held by the Library of Congress, so what you hang is a true record of its time.

The framed print arrives ready to hang; the unframed option suits custom framing. It makes a striking addition to a living room, study or office, and a thoughtful gift. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Since 2001, Snapshots of the Past has shipped historic prints to tens of thousands of customers around the world.

The great American steeple chase for 1844

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Edward Williams Clay's lithograph turns the 1844 presidential contest into a horse race, with a field of rivals jockeying for the lead before the nominations were settled. H.R. Robinson published it in 1843, and it names a wide range of figures, including Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, James K. Polk, Winfield Scott, and President John Tyler with his son Robert. The Kentucky references tie Henry Clay and Richard M. Johnson to the race. The sporting metaphor was a common device in the period's party press, when the Whig and Democratic contests were still open and the outcome was far from certain.

Created / published1843
Medium1 print : lithograph on wove paper ; 32.3 x 46.8 cm. (image)
GenreLithographs 1840-1850.Political cartoons 1840-1850.
NotesEntered . . . 1843 by H.R. Robinson. H.R. Robinson 142 Nassau St. Lithy. in all its branches. Signed with monogram: C (Edward Williams Clay). Title appears as it is written on the item. Weitenkampf, p. 72. Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress) Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1843-8.
SubjectsCalhoun, John C. (John Caldwell),--1782-1850. Clay, Henry,--1777-1852. Johnson, Richard M. (Richard Mentor),--1780-1850. McLean, John,--1785-1861. Polk, James K. (James Knox),--1795-1849. Scott, Winfield,--1786-1866. Stewart, Charles,--1778-1869. Tyler, John,--1790-1862. Tyler, Robert,--1816-1877. United States.--Navy--1840-1850. Presidential elections--United States--1840-1850. Kentucky--1840-1850.
SourceLibrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Original scan1,536 × 1,041 px · prints to 5 × 3 in at 300 dpi
ReferenceAMZ-SOTP-HPA-135178

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