HEADS OF THE DEMOCRACY

[New York: Currier & Ives, 1864. Lithograph broadside, oblong 12-1/4" x 13-1/2" [image]. Fine, in a wood frame.

"This biting political caricature responds to a presidential campaign held during the American Civil War. A "Copperhead" is surrounded by a "Blunderhead," a "Sorehead," a "Blockhead" and a "Wronghead," with broken shackles below. Behind the group "McClellan's Letter," "Chicago Platform," and "London Times" are depicted.
"The image criticizes a Northern political faction active 1861-64 known as the Copperheads, whose members favored the Union but opposed Lincoln and the Civil War. The print responds to McClellan's nomination as Democratic candidate for president, and attempts to reconcile his military service with the party's peace platform. Currier & Ives name does not appear on the print, but scholars of Civil War era satires linked it to the firm" [online site, Metropolitan Museum of Art].
The Copperhead at the center is Horatio Seymour, Governor of New York, a leading opponent of the Lincoln administration and a sympathizer with the New York City Draft Rioters. He became the Democrats' presidential candidate in 1868, on a ticket proclaiming the Democrats as the "White Man's Party." He has the body of a curled snake.
Weitenkampf 144. OCLC 1136527768 [1- AAS], 46365454 [2- MA Hist., U VA] as of February 2024. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Met also own a copy. Not in Reilly.