REGIS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SHOWCASES POLITICAL MEMORABILIA
July 31, 2008
Visitors to Regis University’s Dayton Memorial Library have the opportunity to view rare, historical campaign items from several U.S. presidents and political candidates as part of the Notarianni Political Collection. A portion of the collection includes a limited number of 1908 Denver Democratic National Convention (DNC) objects, which will remain on display through September 25.
Named for Regis University alumnus and retired Denver attorney Aldo Notarianni, who donated the permanent collection items to the library in 2004, the exhibit reflects the trends and shifting political attitudes of a developing nation.
The eight sections within the permanent collection, which is housed on the library’s fourth floor, are memorabilia from past presidential candidates beginning with John Adams through Benjamin Harrison, including curios such as whiskey bottles emblazoned with Zachary Taylor’s name, portraits of several candidates painted by Nathanial Currier (James Ives had not yet joined the business), as well as promotional household items including lanterns, sewing needles, buttons and the earliest known campaign photos taken of Abraham Lincoln. Lesser known items, such as James Garfield teas, laxatives and headache powder also are displayed.
As part of the “Political Firsts” section of the exhibit, which is split between the fourth and first floors, noteworthy occurrences in the campaign and electoral process are identified and a list of these “firsts” accompanies the display. Items from the campaigns of African-American and female candidates, including buttons and phrases from Jesse Jackson’s two bids for the presidency in the 1980s as well as Elizabeth Dole paraphernalia.
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The Notarianni Political Collection is open to the public and runs through Sept. 25 in Dayton Memorial Library on the Regis University campus at 3333 Regis Boulevard, Denver. Hours are 12:30-9 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.