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1857 Invitation to James Buchanans Inaugural Ball

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Political

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1857 Invitation to James Buchanan's Inaugural Ball


March 4, 1857, James Buchanan, Grand Inauguration Ball Invitation, Extremely Fine.
This impressive, original Invitation measures 10.5" x 7" and was printed on heavy glossy coated cardstock by Toppan, Carpenter & Co. Philad. Specifically requesting "The honor of Miss Ellen Purycar's Company". This handsome engraved Inauguration Ball invitation has a portrait of Buchanan inside and at the top of an arch between two columns built from the building blocks named for the states and designated "Constitution of the United States" and "The Union Must Be Preserved." It is interesting to note all the famous names listed as managers. One that stands out is Jeff. Davis (fourth from the top) as it was he who, in a short period of time, would be helping to tear down this Union. The overall condition is above average and very clean with just some trivial general light tone making it very nice for display. An extremely rare original Inaugural item for Buchanan. We sold a similar, issued Invitation in our June 10, 2006 auction, Lot 576, where that lesser quality Very Fine piece sold for $1,416.

The Democratic Party nominated Buchanan for president primarily because he was out of the country during the Kansas-Nebraska debate, and was, therefore, untainted by either side. He and his running mate, John C. Breckinridge, ran against the first-ever Republican ticket, John C. Fremont & William L. Dayton in the 1856 election. The Know-Nothing ticket of Millard Fillmore & A.J. Donelson split the vote and Buchanan was elected with less than a majority of the popular vote. His moderate views were not popular with extremists of either party.

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