Object Details
associated person
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
Description
William Howard Taft was the first presidential candidate to print matchbooks (first patented in 1892) and they were a common campaign giveaway for decades. This decorative metal case for Dwight Eisenhower’s 1952 campaign was designed to hold a book of safety matches. The opening under his nickname “Ike” provided access to the matchbook’s striker strip. Eisenhower, the Republican candidate in 1952 and 1956, defeated his Democratic opponent Adlai Stevenson both times.
Credit Line
Ralph E. Becker Collection of Political Americana
ID Number
PL.227739.1952.X140
catalog number
227739.1952.X140
accession number
227739
Object Name
Matchbook Cover
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
gold (overall color)
Measurements
overall: 2 in x 1 3/4 in x 1/4 in; 5.08 cm x 4.445 cm x .635 cm
See more items in
Political History: Political History, Campaign Collection
Government, Politics, and Reform
American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith
Exhibition
American Democracy
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
general subject association
Political Campaigns
classified
Novelty
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_529443