Important 1844 Liberty (Anti-Slavery) Party Campaign Cane

June 9, 2012 Antiques Auction

Price Realized: $1,840.00 ($1,600 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium).

Lot of Two: Important 1844 James Birney Liberty (Anti-Slavery) Party Presidential Campaign Cane and N. Currier Print, Including Biblical and Political Quotes, wooden cane with brass cap, featuring elaborate painted inscriptions, including a blue and red American flag, inscribed "Our Motto- / Liberty- / Equal Rights- / Protection to Free Labor- / General Education / - Public Economy". Midsection reads "For President James G. Birney of Michigan Vice President Thomas Morris of Ohio Subject to a National Convention". The body of the cane features lengthy quotations from George Washington, John Adams, and the Bible, regarding liberty and the abolition of slavery. James G. Birney (1792-1857) was born in Danville, KY and served on the Kentucky Legislature from 1816 to 1818. Early in life, he was a slave owner; however, later religious and political convictions led him to relinquish his slaves. By 1835, he had become a well-known abolitionist, acting as publisher of the Cincinnati anti-slavery newspaper, The Philanthropist. In 1840 and 1844, he was nominated to be president by the newly-founded Liberty Party, whose main goal was the abolition of slavery. Campaign items from this third party are virtually non-existent. Included in this lot is a rare hand-colored N. Currier print of Birney, copied from a daguerreotype by Chilton, entitled "JAMES G. BIRNEY, / NOMINATED BY THE LIBERTY PARTY FOR / Eleventh President of the United States". Print is included in an original 19th century grain-painted frame. Some wear to cane, otherwise excellent condition. Print with some tiny spotting, and a small stain to bottom right corner. L (of cane) 34 1/2". Dimensions (of framed print) 16 1/2" x 12 1/2".

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