(ADAMS JOHN QUINCY) The Five Aspirants

Sale 2483 - Lot 91

Price Realized: $ 1,820

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750

(ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY.) The Five Aspirants. Etching, 8 3/4x10 inches; foxing, irregular folds, considerable wear including a long closed tear and two areas of loss in the image area. Np, circa 1824

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Additional Details

A political cartoon on the 1824 election. The five candidates for the presidency attempt to climb a pillar marked with the names of the first five presidents. Each has some sort of boost toward the top. Though they are not named, they can be identified by their signature issues. John Calhoun climbs a ladder while brandishing the banner of domestic manufactures, over the caption "Political consistency." John Quincy Adams (the eventual winner) stands atop a barrel of molasses and a pile of pumpkins, stereotypical New England trade goods. His assistant worries "I guess the pumpkins won't hold out." Henry Clay is atop a pillar reading "South American Independence, Treaty of Ghent," while runner-up Andrew Jackson stands upon his military record: "New Orleans, Seminole War." William Crawford touts his recent nomination, chanting "Caucus, caucus, caucus!", surrounded by backstabbers and intrigue. This print is not listed in Reilly, and we find no other copies at auction or in OCLC, though copies have been traced at two institutions.