Charles Evans Hughes became Governor of New York in 1906 and was re-elected in1908. That year he was also a big GOP presidential hopeful, appearing on many presidential campaign postcards. (We have some of them for sale in our eBay store.) He got put on the U.S. Supreme Court by President Taft in 1910 as an Associate Justice. Then he resigned that seat - (who would ever do THAT?) to become the actual 1916 republican presidential nominee. He came within a whisker (sorry) of defeating democrat incumbent president Woodrow Wilson. If Hughes had carried California, he would have done so. It was so close that some newspapers were running headlines that Hughes had actually won.
After that loss he became President Harding's Secretary of State in 1921, continuing there under President Coolidge after Harding died in office. Then he was appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by President Hoover after Taft retired from the Court in 1930, only to become a thorn in Franklin Roosevelt's side by often ruling against the constitutionality of some New Deal laws. Which is part of the reason why FDR tried to "pack" the Supreme Court with liberal justices, just as some on the left want to today when they don't get their way.
Here's a standard size, real photo postcard showing Governor Hughes at Pine Camp, New York next to Frederick Dent Grant which was part of a set. It was postmarked August 5, 1910, from that place.
The eldest son of General and President Ulysses Grant, this General Grant also spent his life in the military and was a U.S. Ambassador. He was promoted to Major General in 1906 and, the year of this card, was made Commander of the Eastern Division of the U.S. Army. When he died of cancer at age 61 two years later, (just as his father had at age 63), he was the second highest ranked, active-duty officer in the army behind Leonard Wood.
We also have four cards in our eBay store showing Hughes while Governor of New York and that state's capitol city, Albany. They are 274544458656, 305163808204, 305163831842 and 305163822460. Additionally, we have other Hughes-related cards in our store for you to add to your presidential candidate collection from this tough candidate.
It's in nice condition but please look at our images to judge condition for yourself so that you can be happy with your purchase. We are members of APIC selling only authentic presidential (and other collectible) material so buy with confidence. Shipping on this will be $5.50, first class with tracking. We'll also be happy to combine S & H costs on multiple purchases, which we accomplish via a refund.
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We 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 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 "coattails" and are geographically specific or contain "hopefuls" or are from a 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 a 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.