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1876 Hayes & Tilden Presidential Campaign Woven Silk Ribbons - B.B. Tilt Jugate Pair
An exceptional, museum-grade pair of authentic 19th-century American political Americana: two original 1876 presidential campaign woven silk ribbons representing both major political parties from the historic and fiercely contested Centennial election.
Exquisitely crafted on Jacquard looms by the renowned textile firm B.B. Tilt & Son of Paterson, New Jersey, these ribbons feature incredibly fine, engraving-like woven portraits of the candidate tickets. Finding a complete bipartisan pair that has survived together in this state of preservation is an extraordinary rarity for the advanced collector.
The Historic Pair Includes:
Democratic Ticket: Jugate ribbon featuring Samuel J. Tilden (New York) and Thomas A. Hendricks (Indiana) with bold black and grey woven details.
Historical Context & Authenticity Markers:
The Manufacturer Imprint: Both ribbons prominently display the woven maker\'s mark along the top edge: \"B.B. TILT & SON, N.Y. & PATERSON, N.J.\" with the text inverted, an exact known diagnostic marker for genuine Tilt productions from this campaign.
The 1876 Election: Known as the most disputed election in U.S. history, the contest between Hayes and Tilden ultimately led to the Compromise of 1877. Bipartisan pairs from this specific cycle represent the peak of 19th-century political textile artistry.
Physical Specifications:
Weave Type: High-density Jacquard loom woven silk.
Condition Report:
Overall Condition: Excellent Antique Condition. Unlike many surviving 19th-century silks, the fabric here remains remarkably strong, flexible, and structurally sound.
Structural Integrity: Absolutely no \"shattering\" (the typical splitting or disintegrating of old silk fibers) and no significant fraying along the cut edges.
Visual Contrast: The woven text is incredibly sharp, and the portrait contrast remains brilliant and highly detailed.
Surface Markings: A few minor, faint spots of foxing and light staining are present, which is perfectly consistent with 150-year-old organic textiles.
Shipping & Handling:
To protect your investment, this historic duo will be packaged with the utmost care. Shipped fully insured with tracking.
