Sign of the Times: The Great American Political Poster 1844–2012

Saturday, July 8, 2017

The Printing Museum
1324 W Clay
Houston TX 77019

The political campaign poster had its humble beginnings in the 1840s when the new lithographic printing process, largely developed in Germany, was developed to satisfy a growing demand for printed material. Hand-colored portraits of presidential and vice-presidential candidates were first printed for the 1844 race between Whig Party candidate Henry Clay and the eventual winner, James K. Polk of the Democratic Party.

Historically, the American political poster has been sorely neglected as an art form and has played a minor cultural role despite its effectiveness in conveying a political message to millions of voters often through the skillful use of visual communication. Sign of the Times: The Great American Political Poster 1844–2012 has made every effort to bring eye-popping political graphics to the to the forefront and to show the great American political poster as art.

Learn more here.