1916 Welcome Socialist Candidate 4 President Allan L. Benson Real Photo Postcard

Description

Eugene Debs ran for president at the top of the Socialist Party ticket in 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912 and 1920. But NOT in 1916, because he was trying for a U.S. House seat from his Indiana district. Bet you didn't know that.  So Allan Louis Benson received the 1916 Socialist Party presidential nomination and ended up getting only about one-half the votes that Debs got in 1912.
So if you thought Debs campaign postcards were tough, try finding a 1916 example for Benson. BINGO. You found one. This may be the ONLY one.  It's a single event, real photo postcard showing cars in front of a building where Benson was appearing, only the Lord knows where. Plainly visible on the side of the building, (although our scan makes it blurry - with a magnifier in person it is clear) is a sign with Benson's image in the center that says "Welcome (top) Socialist Candidate (left) For President (right) Allan L. Benson (bottom)." We can't say any more than that.
This is the first example of this card we've had for sale in our 30+ years in business and we have found no record of it via WorthPoint, Anderson Auction or Heritage.  Better grab it while you can.  It is in nice shape but please enlarge our images and judge condition for yourself so that you can be happy with your purchase. S & H on this will be .50 carefully packed, first class with tracking, and we'll even buy the insurance on your package to protect us both. We are members of APIC and sell only authentic presidential campaign material so buy with confidence. We will combine S&H even though eBay says we don't. Just request a new invoice before paying
4432
We just returned from the northeastern part of the U.S. where we purchased another top-notch political postcard collection from a life-long specialist and friend. PLUS we're still selling out of of the collection of our mid-west friend! Since many of their cards are duplicates of our own, we feel it is important to offer them back into the collector market, so that others continue having the fun of discovery and pride of ownership that we three have experienced over the decades. Hopefully you can find a gem or two to add to your own collection, so check our eBay store over time for this great opportunity for adding to your collection.
Our collecting interests fall into all categories of presidential campaign material, but postcards remain at the top of the list.  Like buttons, their graphics can be spectacular. But they have the added advantage of being able to contain a lot more of it with much more diverse art. They may relate to a specific person or event or articulate opposing campaign slogans. Many can be "mated-up" with an example for another candidate: the 1912 pennant cards have seemingly endless color combinations, images and slogans so you'll never have them all, which keeps your quest alive. Some have "coat-tails" and are geographically specific or contain "hopefuls" or are from an person's early career.  One can simply collect their favorite candidate. In history, the 1908 election occurred at the height of the overall postcard craze by the public, so one can acquire a massive collection for that year alone. Cards can be one-of-a-kind real photos, printed photos or lithographs while others are part of an set.  Some are cross-collectibles involving baseball, other sports, artists, causes or holidays.  They can show one or more candidates - often even the opposing candidates - which one rarely finds on pins.
Just remember this: if it doesn't have a printed place for a stamp and an address or wasn't machine-mailed like most modern examples, by definition it ISN'T a postcard. Having it used through the mail confirms its history (if you're worried about reproductions) and adds to its depth. Be aware that condition may be part of the mailing: it's important and can affect the value. But being obsessed and possessed like many button fanatics over obtaining perfect condition examples can be time wasted from the joy of collecting.
Cards are much more personal than pins. You know they were handled, way back when, and are also meant to be today (using care).  If folding or mechanical, they MUST be touched and worked to fully appreciate them.  Many backs contain a political message or show a postmark nailing down a small town or date. Some show a particular moment in American history: a meeting of great individuals or the last days or hours of a person - often the president.  Others then show the early days of his successor. Pins don't often show that.
Many cards have anti-cartoons - their great, artwork barbs and blurbs are classic political fun; sarcastic, creative, witty and sometimes suggestive, as being rendered by the famous or not-so. Pro-examples can gush enthusiastically. Some reflect America's socially or racially questionable past from which we may learn. Others show an obscure candidate and were printed in rather limited numbers. Postcard evolution from the late 19th-century to the oversize mailers of today can be displayed in one tray. Can you tell we love 'em! Therefore, we're listing a broad selection to pique your interest and show what we mean about how great, diverse and wonderful these relatively affordable political collectibles are. Most of all, have fun with them.  Postcards were meant to be FUN.