California campaign ballot for the election of 1864, printed on both sides in red, black, and powder blue inks. California, 1864, 1 page, 3 x 7 3/4 inches.

Headed "Union Ticket" at the top above a deconstructed Seal of the United States depicting an eagle standing on a shield, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. Promoting President Abraham Lincoln of Illinois and Vice President Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, with five California electors from San Francisco, El Dorado, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Siskiyou. Also lists Donald C. McRuer for "member of Congress First District." Verso with woodcut engraving of the storied naval battle between the CSS Alabama and the USS Kearsarge, with the British yacht Deerhound in the background, called upon to help save the drowning Confederate crew.

During this election, Republican incumbent President Abraham Lincoln faced Democratic challenger General George B. McClellan—Lincoln’s former commander of the army whom he relieved of duty in 1862. Party leadership, looking to reinvigorate the ticket, selected War Democrat Andrew Johnson of Tennessee as Lincoln's new running mate, in hopes of appealing to a broader voter base.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate]  [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]