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MEASUREMENTS: Approximately 24 inches wide x 18 inches tall (measured with a tape measure; see photos). Hand-marked \"10-1-56\" on the edge.
CONDITION: Vintage used condition consistent with a 1956 pressroom piece. Chip/tear at the top-left corner, edge wear and light waviness, several small mounting holes, and ink/pressroom staining on the back side (see photos). The raised relief printing surface on the front is intact and all headlines, text, and illustrations remain crisp and fully readable. Sold as-is.
DESCRIPTION: Original 1956 newspaper stereotype printing mat used to print the FRONT PAGE of The Wichita Beacon, Wichita, Kansas, for Monday, October 1, 1956 — during the 1956 presidential election campaign. Text and images are reversed, as produced for the printing press.
Front-page content includes:
- Masthead: \"The Wichita Beacon — Monday, Oct. 1, 1956\"
- \"The Voters Speak — Eisenhower Health Issue Major Campaign Factor\" (presidential election coverage)
- \"Increase in Cars To 65 Millions Predicted by U.S.\" (Washington, Oct. 1 — Bureau of Public Roads projecting 81 million motor vehicles by 1969)
- \"Nixon Hurting Eisenhower? — Tomorrow — How \'Baby\'?\"
- \"Taxi Driver Guilty in Rape Slaying\"
- Large \"Ultra Smart NEW RCA VICTOR — ONLY $219.95 — No Down Payment — Easy Terms\" television ad (The West Side Store, 2400 W. Douglas)
- \"Assured money-saver — The New Preferred 30 Pay Life Plan\" — Business Men\'s Assurance Company of America, with piggy bank illustration
- \"SHOP in East Wichita — No Parking Worries\"
- \"Yellow Van In New Home\" — Yellow Van Moving & Storage, 747 E. Waterman
- Gill Mortuary ad with parachute: \"Protect Your Future Against Sudden Shocks\"
- G.A.C. Finance Corporation, Earley Lumber Co., America\'s Safest Movers, Deluxe Bowl, Steel Lewis Hardware & Supply Co., M & M Drapery Service, Complete Beauty Service, Curtis Plumbing, Welch Cleaners, and an election-themed cartoon strip along the right edge
A genuine piece of 1956 election-season history — ideal for collectors of presidential campaign memorabilia, vintage advertising, Kansas history, or 1950s print shop collectibles.
