Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Button, Political |
Catalog Number |
1997.56.119 |
Maker |
Edward Horn Co |
Date |
1996 |
Material(s) |
Celluloid/Paper/Metal |
Dimensions |
Dia-3 inches |
Description |
This celluloid process campaign button is composed of a thin piece of printed paper which has been adhered to the metal button form by a clear plastic coating. In the center of the button is a color caricature of Ross Perot in front of an American flag and wearing a blue suit with a red tie. A red border surrounds this image and has white lettering which reads "Ross for Boss / in 1996." On either side of the red border is a small white star which separates the upper text from the "in 1996" line. On the bottom, curled edge of the button, in small white letters, is printed "Edward Horn Co. Glenside, PA 19038 (215) 576-5700." To the right of this text is a white, oval shaped, union logo which has the initials "GCIU" inside. The back of the button has a pinback in the shape of a safety pin. |
Notes |
Texas billionaire Henry Ross Perot launched a spirited third party run for the presidency in 1992 and 1996. Before entering politics, Perot founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in 1962 and sold the company to General Motors in 1984. He then founded Perot Systems in 1988 which was bought by Dell for $3.9 billion in 2009. In the 1992 election, Perot received 18.9% of the popular vote (but no Electoral College votes), making him the most successful third-party presidential candidate in terms of the popular vote since Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 election. He gathered 8% of the popular vote in is 1996 run. This object was donated on December 5, 1997 by Drexell R. Davis. Davis, a self-described "Yellow Dog" Democrat, held several elected positions in the Kentucky state government. His thirty-three years of public service prompted his interest in collecting political memorabilia. |
Collection |
Drexell R. Davis Collection |
Event |
1996 United States Presidential Election |
People |
Edward Horn Company Perot, Ross |
Subjects |
Buttons Candidates, Political Candidates, Presidential Political campaigns Political candidates Political elections Politicians Politics & government Presidential candidates Presidential elections Third parties Caricatures |
Search Terms |
Button, Political Campaign buttons Texas Political buttons |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |