Featured 1908 William Howard Taft GOP Campaign Plate

One of my finds purchased yesterday at auction. Have been wanting one of these for quite a while to add to my collection. Saw one about 5 years ago at an high end antique auction and got blown away in the bidding. This time I was successful in landing this piece for considerably lower than what I had previously seen it sell for. The condition isn't perfect but it is pretty good.



Also got the following at the same sale. I think is from the same era as the plate. 48 star flag.

 

OK - I give. Who's the dude between Grant and Lincoln? It doesn't look like Andrew Johnson and he's in uniform. Or does the plate include the veeps?

 

@evelyb30 - the guy between Grant & Lincoln is John C. Fremont, the Republican presidential candidate in 1856 (who lost). He gained fame exploring the west (re-exploring might be a better term, since the west was already pretty well known to the fur trappers).

 

Oho. Not all Presidents then. I knew he wasn't Buchanan.

 

I believe the plate shows all of the previous Republican nominees for the presidency along the outer rim including Fremont & James Blaine who lost.

 

Makes sense. There was one other guy I couldn't place; Blaine makes sense.

 

They also had some porcelain McKinley plates at the same auction. Unfortunately the auctioneer, ringmen didn't describe them, just called them old plates so I missed them. A dealer buddy of mine snagged them for a few bucks for his own personal collection -- I am kicking myself and very jealous for not paying enough attention. I am glad for my friend, he finds a lot of cool finds for next to nothing and has great taste, one of the few antique mall dealers that turns a hefty profit and has a massive personal collection.

 

I'm told McKinley stuff can be worth a few bucks. I have a campaign button, but it's not going anywhere; someone in my family knew Garret Hobart's widow and got it from her.

 

if he's a buddy....then you're envious..................not jealous..

 

Correct, he has been a bit of a mentor to me pointing out when I get something really good and providing info on items I'm not sure about. Our tastes in antiques and collectables are fairly similar so I am sure there are times he wishes I was at another sale. Apparently he also has one of these Taft plates, purchased 45 years ago, bought for a pittance I am sure. Would love to invite him here, he would be a great addition but I don't think he has much interest in internet groups and is super busy working as a manager in addition to his antiques ventures.

 

Very cool!