The Old Print Shop

On to Washington!

  • ARTIST: Thomas Nast

  • PUBLISHER: Published in Harper's Weekly, New York. June 17, 1871.

  • MEDIUM: Wood engraving,

    DATE: 1871.

  • EDITION SIZE: Image size 9 x 13 5/8" (22.9 x 34.5 cm).

  • DESCRIPTION: This political cartoon by Thomas Nast satirizes the ambitions of Democratic presidential hopeful John T. Hoffman, shown attempting to sneak up on the White House alongside Boss Tweed and a motley crew of corrupt Tammany Hall operatives, Erie Railroad Ring members, a Catholic archbishop, newspaper editors, and shady businessmen. The group represents the network of political and financial corruption Nast relentlessly exposed. <br><br> At the top of the White House steps, President Ulysses S. Grant sits calmly, reading a newspaper and smoking a cigar, seemingly unbothered by the approaching crowd. A poster beside him reads: “Let us have peace, for another term,” referencing Grant’s famous 1868 campaign slogan and supporting his bid for re-election in 1872. The cartoon reflects Nast’s staunch support for Grant and his campaign to protect the presidency from what he portrayed as the creeping threat of organized corruption.

  • ADDITIONAL INFO: This piece is in a 12 x 17 inch archival mylar for handling.

  • CONDITION: Good condition, minor soiling in the left margin.

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