Political Cartoons, Background Material

The political cartoons in this collection date from 1808 through 1869. There are seventy-four different cartoons, with a number of duplicates for a total of nintey-two. Several of the cartoons have been hand colored. Also included is one folder containing background material on some of the artists and cartoons represented here, taken from various sources. These cartoons were drawn by a number of prominent artists of the period including: William Charles (1803-1820), David Claypool Johnston (1825-1863), Edward Williams Clay (1830's-1857), Henry R. Robinson (1830's-1850's), and Thomas W. Strong (1840's-1865). Several lesser known artists are also represented. A number of the cartoons by unidentified artists were published by Currier & Ives, as well as by W.R. Robinson. The subjects covered in this collection include: the War of 1812, the Economic Crisis of 1837, Andrew Jackson, Secession, the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, and Jefferson Davis.