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Scarce late-19th-century accordion-fold booklet, The Presidents of the United States of America — South • North, 1732–1884, featuring engraved-style sepia portraits of the presidents from George Washington through Grover Cleveland.
This appears to be a revised Cleveland issue of the better-documented 1732–1883 edition. Institutional and commercial examples of the earlier version located during research terminate with Chester A. Arthur. This example differs in several significant respects:
- Front wrapper is dated 1732–1884
- Accordion portrait sequence continues through a full-page portrait of Grover Cleveland
- Rear wrapper was separately updated and places GROVER CLEVELAND prominently at the top
- Cleveland's rear-cover entry reads: “Born March 18, 1837. — Inaug. March 4, 1885.”
These features indicate that this was a deliberately revised issue produced around the 1884 election / 1885 presidential transition, rather than an earlier Arthur booklet with a Cleveland portrait added later.
The accordion contains finely printed sepia presidential portraits with facsimile signatures and decorative patriotic borders. Presidents depicted include Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Jackson, Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland and others.
During research, multiple examples of the earlier 1732–1883 / Chester A. Arthur issue were located in institutional and antiquarian records. No other example of this Cleveland-ending 1732–1884 state was located, so it is offered as an apparently very scarce revised issue. No claim is made that it is unique.
An unusual and visually appealing piece of 19th-century American presidential, political and election-era ephemera.
Please examine all photographs carefully for content and condition. The booklet will be packed flat and securely for shipment.
