Figure 8. — Eaule torch, i86c 

 (Smithsonian photo 50553.) 



F. 



igure / 



PLATFORM TORCH, 1 860 



VS.XM 227739 (Becker Collection) 



Of a more unusual nature is this platform torch 

 made of tin, containing three wicks. This particular 

 torch, with a cylinder 10 inches long and A% inches 

 in diameter, has been attributed by some collectors 

 as being from the campaign of 1860. Since no patent 

 or contemporary illustration has been located for 

 this example, the writer has been unable to either 

 prov"e or disprove this theory. The flames illustrated 

 are artificial for display purposes. 



E.A.GLE TORCH, 1 860 Figure 8 



USXM 227739 (Becker Collection) 



Unusually refined in design, this eagle torch, painted 

 bronze, is identical to one which is claimed to have 

 been used in the campaign of 1860 and now is in the 

 collection of the Detroit Historical Society. Another 

 is in the J. Doyle DeWitt Collection and is identified 

 as an "Eagle torchiere carried by the 'Roman 

 Legion' in Harrison's inaugural parade"' in 1841. 

 Other examples have been seen by the writer in other 

 collections. The torch in figure 8 is supported by 

 a loop under each wing and a torch-wick opening 

 appears on the top of each wing. The body of the 



Figure 9. — Fireman's torch, i860. 

 (Smithsonian photo 50548.) 



eagle serves as a receptacle for the oil. Wingtip to 

 wingtip, the eagle torch measures 9 inches and the 

 body of the eagle measures 10 inches. No record of 

 a patent or contemporary illustration has been 

 found bv the writer for this model. 



i860 



Figure 9 



FIREM.\N S TORCH 

 USNM Collection 



This fireman's torch is Ijelieved to have been u.scd in 

 the Lincoln campaign of 1860. It consists of a wooden 

 handle with a funnel-shaped end on which is meshed 

 wire and a wick. The torch is 26% inches long in- 

 cluding the handle. The head of the torch is 3)^ 

 inches in diameter. 



HOMEM.A.DE TORCH, 1 860 Figure 10 



US.YM 2S9457 (Heitmuller accession) 



Homemade torches, crudely made of tin and fitted 

 with a gas-pipe wick tube and claimed to ha\'e been 

 used in a torcWight procession during the Lincoln 

 campaign, were in the possession of the Heitmuller 

 family of Washington in the early 20th century. One 

 such torch was given the United States National Mu- 

 seum on December 11, 1915, and can be found in the 



PAPER 4 5 : POLITICAL CAMP.MGN TORCHES 



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