Lot 1619: 1924 John W. Davis Jumbo Campaign Display

1924 John W. Davis Jumbo Campaign Display Badge

Offered is a beautiful 4"-diameter sepia display badge of 1924 Democratic Presidential candidate John W. Davis. Davis was a West Virginia attorney with Wall Street connections. His candidacy was, effectively, the compromise of a Democratic Party badly fractured by contrasting, geographically-based loyalties. The party's regional blocs were persistently unable to come to agreement with regard to Prohibition, the Ku Klux Klan, and other divisive issues. Democrats nominally working to put together a coalition conducted voting on the Convention floor for 16 days, refusing to concede their deadlocking polarization. Finally, the delegates were freed from party bosses' instructions (on the 100th ballot!), and Davis was nominated. The results taken away from the fractious convention proved ill-fated, however. Lack of initial enthusiasm for Davis' candidacy, combined with a rebounding economy that abetted the candidacy of Republican Calvin Coolidge, netted the smallest Democratic polling percentage in history. The Davis ticket earned only 29 percent of the popular vote, against Coolidge's 54 percent.

The large-size celluloid Davis disc, offered, is unique in its simplicity and effect. Davis' portrait is the central, and only, feature. His gaze radiates the level of capability that the Democrats hoped would help him to win office. The succinct, "For President - John W. Davis" caption is direct and unambiguous. Unlike most circular-shaped campaign memorabilia, this rare piece is not a pinbacked button. The reverse side is cardboard-filled, with a collapsible pedestal that allowed the button to stand prominently erect. (As an executive's desk-top political statement, this piece must have been superb to behold!) This glamorous collectible is at least EX/MT in grade, with a nearly-glistening surface and a dramatic level of visual presentation. The collet contains note of manufacture by Whitehead and Hoag, copyright by Underwood and Underwood, and the then all-important union label. Close inspection reveals a razor-thin, 1/4"-long cello crack, by the knot of Davis' tie, that is invisible to casual viewing. We believe, because we've admired this collectible in the industry for close to two decades, that this fissure is incapable of further extension. The fault hasn't changed in all those years, and we're confident that the value of the pin is unaffected by its presence. Of potentially greater concern is an unobtrusive fault that does impact value. One-third of the cardboard back-stand is missing. It could be routinely replaced by a competent restorer, and doesn't affect the piece's usual lying-flat means of display. An extremely rare artifact and a majestic centerpeice for a very difficult candidate.