04916ckd a22006977a 4500 15594802 20250607030408.0 cr|||||||||||| kj|||| 940524s1844 nyunnn| |||||u||||kneng 15594802 7 cbc orignew u ncip 20 y-printpho LCAP batch update 2025-06-01-04:00: LCAPM-861 2008661433 (DLC)app1994000193/PP LC-USZ62-90665 DLC (b&w film copy neg. of proof before title) LC-USZ62-91415 DLC (b&w film copy neg.) DLC gihc DLC PC/US - 1844.B157, no. 16 Unprocessed in PR 13 CN 1964:R01, container 43, no. ?? Balloon ascension to the presidential chair [graphic]. N.Y. : Lith. & pub. by James Baillie, 1844. 1 print : lithograph on wove paper ; 45.3 x 31.1 cm. (image) still image sti rdacontent unmediated n rdamedia Digital image computer c rdamedia sheet nb rdacarrier Digital image online resource cr rdacarrier Entered . . . 1844 by James Baillie. Lith. & pub. by James Baillie 33 Spruce St. N.Y. Signed: H. Bucholzer. The Library has two states of the print, one a proof before title (Landauer Collection; LC-USZ62-90665). The titled impression was deposited for copyright on June 26, 1844. It was followed two weeks later by the same artist's "Bursting the Balloon" (no. 1844-33), a companion piece or sequel. Title appears as it is written on the item. Landauer Collection of Aeronautical Prints and Drawings. Weitenkampf, p. 78. Reflecting Whig preelection confidence in the campaign of 1844, the artist portrays that party's ascendancy over the Democrats in the race for the presidency. Bucholzer uses the metaphor of a hot-air balloon race between Whig candidates Henry Clay and Theodore Frelinghuysen (on the right) and Democratic nominee James K. Polk. The Whigs ascend with ease; Clay waves a flag and Frelinghuysen points toward the "Presidential Chair" which appears at left on a bed of clouds. The Democratic balloon fails to rise for lack of gas and is prodded with a cane by Andrew Jackson. Jackson says, "I'll use my best endeavours to "poke" [i.e., "Polk"] it up. But it's harder work than gaining the battle of New Orleans!" In the balloon's carriage (actually a wooden tub) are Polk, a Loco Foco Democrat (looking upward through a telescope), and a bag of "Mint drops" (symbolizing the hard-money policies pursued by the Democrats). The carriage is supported by party stalwarts Thomas Hart Benton and John C. Calhoun. Polk says: "I think my friends have placed me in a very ridiculous position! They set me up here only to "poke" fun at me." Calhoun warns: "Push hard, Benton, or they'll never get any higher." Benton: "I'm afraid they'll have to throw the mint drops overboard!" From above, Clay offers: "Throw us a line, Polk, and we'll give you a tow!" Meanwhile, in the background a fox with the head of Martin van Buren slinks away saying, "If you had had the wit to put me in there, it would have gone up." He voices his disappointment at not being chosen Democratic nominee. No known restrictions on publication. Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress) Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1844-32. Benton, Thomas Hart, 1782-1858. Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850. Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Frelinghuysen, Theodore, 1787-1862. Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845. Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849. Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862. Equal Rights Party (New York, N.Y.) 1840-1850. Presidential elections United States 1840-1850. lctgm Lithographs 1840-1850. gmgpc Political cartoons 1840-1850. gmgpc Baillie, James S., active 1838-1855. Bucholzer, H. American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress) (DLC) 2005680400 Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA dcu http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print digital file from b&w film copy neg. of proof before title cph 3b37014 p http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b37014 digital file from b&w film copy neg. cph 3b37758 p http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b37758 pp/pcus pp/app pp/minload pp/diof c-P&P (B size) ppsd obj.