Broadsides, Broadsheets, and Pamphlets from David Lesser Antiquarian Books

The American Whig Party was formed by opponents of Andrew Jackson in the 1830s. Promoting more of a business and internal developments agenda, it won two out of three presidential elections in the 1840s. However, it was unable to survive north-south divisions over slavery, and, despite holding the presidency until 1853, rapidly disintegrated during that decade. Its candidate was badly beaten in 1852, and by the time this broadside, headed Circular of Whig Committee with Ticket, was published by the Philadelphia party in 1855 or 1856, it was virtually dead. It was reduced to endorsing the candidates of other parties. Here, it endorses the nominees of the American Party, better known as the “Know-Nothings.” That party was anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant, neither of which was part of the Whig agenda. However, it was briefly the major opposition to the Democrats. So, the Whigs, while disclaiming “the proscriptive measures which it is alleged are advocated by them,” supported the Know-Nothings for opposing “the shameless outrages on the rights of freemen in Kansas.” While anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant, the Know-Nothings were surprisingly less sympathetic to black slavery than were the Democrats, though they tried to steer a middle course. Ultimately, the nativist sentiments of this party were too much for most former Whigs, so most (from the North) gravitated to the new Republican Party. By 1860, the Know-Nothings also had gone the way of the Whigs. Item 229. $450.

Item 10 is an advertising brochure circa 1880 for Austin, Tomlinson and Webster Mfg. They produced wagons, primarily for farm, freight and lumbering use, rather than transportation. Their most famous cart was the “Jackson Wagon,” produced in Jackson, Michigan. Lesser explains that at one point, they were the largest wagon manufacturer in the world. Of course, soon enough, the internal combustion engine would destroy that business, and Austin Tomlinson evidently never made the transition to the new technology. This pamphlet features various humorous cartoons for the Jackson Wagon, including the one pictured on this page. $600.

David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books may be reached at 203-389-8111 or dmlesser@lesserbooks.com. Their website is www.lesserbooks.com.