W. J. Bryan. 1899.

ARTIST: ANONYMOUS SIZE: 19 1/4 x 29 3/8 in./49 x 74.8 cm PRINTER: Strobridge Litho., Cincinnati DESCRIPTION: William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) was the Democratic candidate for President in 1896, 1900, and 1908, and was Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson’s cabinet from 1913 to the time of his resignation in 1915. He originally won fame with his “Cross of Gold” speech at the Democratic Convention of 1896, calling for free coinage of silver. A believer in fundamental religion, Bryan aided the prosecution at the Scopes evolution trial of 1925. Bryan was chosen unanimously on the first ballot by his party in July 1900 and went on to accuse McKinley of imperialism in Cuba and the Philippines, and of being a tool of big business. He got 45% of the popular vote and again lost to McKinley. This magnificent poster, printed by America’s foremost printer, was used primarily as a fundraising souvenir, published by Neville Williams of Columbus, Ohio, who sold them for 25 cents each. On the back of this poster is Williams’ original letter, which details the imagery representing the principles of the Democratic Party: “the Old Liberty Bell-1776, pealing forth the notes of freedom to our forefathers; the New Bell-1900, sounding the alarm against Imperialism; ... the Democratic Rooster, the Plow and Hammer of the People’s Party, the Mountain Daisy of the Silvery party of the West, the Goddess of Justice of the Silver Prohibition party; ‘E Pluribus Unum,’ many united, supporting Wm. J. Bryan, who stands as firm as Gibraltar for the Declaration of the Independence...” and many more notable symbols. Rare! (American; War & Propaganda)