Patent Democratic Republican steam shaving shop

A cryptic satire possibly dealing with some facet of the 1844 presidential campaign. The print features two unsuccessful aspirants for the Democratic presidential nomination: Martin Van Buren and Richard M. Johnson. In an interior a bearded man wearing a plaid vest attends a steam boiler (left), watching as several others are lathered and shaved by various steam-powered apparatuses. Around a large bowl of shaving lather sit (left to right) Van Buren, an unidentified young man, New York "Herald" editor James Gordon Bennett, and Richard M. Johnson. Over Johnson's head is a plaque advertising "Patent Tetragmenon formosum for turning grey hair black . . . ," perhaps a swipe at the ages of the veteran candidates (Johnson was sixty-three, Van Buren sixty-two). Another plaque, at left, reads "Rowlands Essence of Steam. For Promoting the Growth of Whiskers. Sold here." In the foreground sit a gentleman and a seaman, both being shaved by machines that they operate by foot pedals. The mariner's hat hangs from a peg on the wall above his head. On the floor near the gentleman are his hat and cane, and a muzzled dog. The cartoon has resisted interpretation. Murrell and Weitenkampf both suggest a date in the 1830s, but Davison's tentative 1844 is more convincing in terms of subject and on stylistic grounds.

Signed with monogram: EWC (Edward Williams Clay).

Title appears as it is written on the item.

Willis & Probst Lith. 2, Wall St. N.Y.

Davison, no. 178.

Murrell, p. 150.

Weitenkampf, p. 53.

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 1844-44.

bennett james gordon johnson richard m richard mentor van buren martin presidential elections lithographs political cartoons patent republican steam republican steam shop vintage images 1844 prints portrait bearded man floor hardwood 19th century cartoon prints american edward williams clay willis and probst patent democratic republican steam democratic party elections democratic party us monograms united states history politics and government political campaigns library of congress

01/01/1844

Library of Congress

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