This two-sided brass disk bears miniature tintype portraits of Grant on one side and Schuyler Colfax, his vice-presidential running mate on the other. A raised edge with beaded borders reads, “For President / 1868” on one side and on the other, “For Vice President / 1868.” On both sides the date appears at the bottom with part of a wreath extending to either side. A small suspension loop is mounted on the upper edge. A string joins it to an 1851 patent dated Goodyear button. The string is modern, but may be a replacement for a fragile original found with it.

Both images have the candidates’ names overhead in an arc. Grant is shown in uniform and captioned “Gen. U.S. Grant.” Colfax is simply “Schuyler Colfax.” Colfax (1823-1885) was a Whig and founder of the Republican party. A congressman from Indiana, he was Speaker of the House and influential in passing the 13^th Amendment abolishing slavery. He was Grant’s running mate only in 1868, being defeated by Wilson for it in 1872 after waffling about a presidential run himself. He was implicated in the 1868 scandal involving cash and favorable stock sales by Union Pacific Railroad to influential politicians and retired from politics after he left the vice presidency in 1873. Grant needs no introduction or biographical summary, other than to note he is regarded as a better general than politician.

The brass rims show minor green tarnish. The thin carrying loop is in place. The tintypes show some small wrinkling to the emulsion and tiny flakes. Please see our photos. This is an interesting political item from a tumultuous period struggling with issues that continue to this day.  [sr]

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