DENVER – An 1860 campaign flag for Abraham Lincoln and his running mate Hannibal Hamlin (est. $20,000+) highlights Heritage Auctions’ American Political Item Collectors National Convention Auction, July 30-Aug. 2 in Denver.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding at the July 30 auction.

The American Political Items Collectors is a nonprofit membership organization, dedicated to promoting the collecting, preservation and study of materials relating to political campaigns and the U.S. presidency. The convention and auction will be held at the Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport Hotel & Convention Center.

“This auction and convention form the perfect event not only for seasoned political item collectors, but for anyone who likes history,” said Tom Slater, director of Americana Auctions at Heritage. “The auction holds some truly great finds suitable for advanced hobbyists, but offers many colorful and evocative items for novice collectors as well.”

A rare and colorful 1912 jugate celluloid (est. $4,000+) makes a rare appearance at auction highlights an extensive selection of badges. The rare jugate – one of just a handful known to exist – features photographs of both Teddy Roosevelt and Hiram Johnson, the running mates for the Progressive, or Bull Moose, ticket. “Denied nomination for an unprecedented third term by the regular Republicans, TR bolted the party to run as an independent candidate, splitting the vote and handing the election to Democrat Woodrow Wilson,” Slater said.

Leading a strong selection of rare three-dimensional objects honoring our early presidents, a Liverpool creamware tankard celebrating George Washington (est. $3,500+) is universally considered to be the most desirable piece of Washington transferware in the hobby. The tankard’s applied decoration clearly states “Long Live the President of the United States” and possesses terrific display appeal according to Slater. “Most folks would never imagine that it is possible to own a relic like this, dating from the lifetime of our first president,” he observed.

A rare “hopeful” pinback button designed to encourage American industrialist Henry Ford to run for president (est. $1,500+) dates to the 1920s. “Ford never achieved traction as a would-be candidate, and all his political items are scarce,” notes Slater. “But the variety offered here is particularly elusive, and early presale bidding has already moved up to nearly three times the $1,500 minimum opening bid.”

A brightly-colored pinback from the 1936 opposition to candidate Alf Landon’s failed presidential campaign states “We Can’t Eat Sunflowers,” – a clear dig at the candidate’s sunflower-themed campaign items as well as his perceived lack of creative solutions to the nation’s woes (est. $800+).

A rare 1932 jugate featuring crisp portraits of Franklin Roosevelt and John Nance Garner unveils the Democratic ticket’s signature slogan “For Repeal and Prosperity” (est. $1,500+). With those simple words the candidates took command of the most compelling causes of the election, ending Prohibition and the economic depression, and cruised to an easy victory over unpopular incumbent Herbert Hoover.

Founded in 1945, the APIC is the heart of a growing hobby which has surged in popularity the Internet Age. Membership includes collectors and enthusiasts from all walks of life and every occupation such as educators, students, archivists, historians, elected officials, political junkies, campaign staffers, journalists from print, broadcast and cable, museum curators and even a handful of past presidents.

“Our 2014 convention should be one of the best conventions ever with record-breaking attendance,” said Ron Puechner, convention chairman. “Members from all over the globe have put together an amazing selection of events, presentations, and meetings over the four-day event.”

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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