c 1849 12th President Zachary Taylor Inauguration Commemorative Gold Silk Broadside Not In Threads!

Lot 166

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Early American History Auctions - December 20, 2025 by Early American History Auctions

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Dec 20, 2025

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Lot Description

Political
Not Recorded in "Threads of History" Rare Printed Silk Inaugural Broadside Celebrating President Zachary Taylor
c. 1849, Golden Silk Broadside Commemorative Textile Printed to Celebrate the Inauguration of 12th United States President, Zachary Taylor, (this item is Not Recorded in "Threads of History" by Collins), Printed by "Murphy & Co. Printers And Publishers, No. 178 Market St. Baltimore.", possibly the only example known, Very Fine.
An exceedingly rare Broadside, Partly-Printed with Golden Silk Decoration which has the text displayed in two columns, printed in blue, with a decorative gold border and accents. It measures 14"wide x 17.25" tall with its wide outer margins fully intact. Its left side margin has some light tone and is slightly frayed, with minor dampstain along the vertical centerfold. This design is rare being Not Listed in the major Smithsonian issued reference book by Collins titled, "Threads of History". This is the Sole example of this Broadside we could locate, being possibly the only example known. OCLC does not locate any copies, nor have we located or confirmed any exact copies on Silk in the auction record.
This rare, very well preserved historic Silk Broadside features the "Inaugural Address" of the 12th United States President, Zachary Taylor (1784-1850). Taylor delivered this Inaugural Address Monday, March 5, 1849, from the East Portico of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Although the Inauguration was originally scheduled to take place the day before, on Sunday March 4, it was postponed in observance of the Sabbath. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney delivered the Oath of Office before an estimated crowd of 20,000 attendees. In his 1,000+ word speech, President Taylor expressed gratitude for his election, and voiced his desire to govern with the assistance to the other branches of government. Taylor invoked the imagery of President George Washington. In as much Taylor expressed that, in part:
"In the discharge of these duties my guide will be the Constitution, which I this day swear to 'preserve, protect and defend.' For the interpretation of that instrument, I shall look to the decisions of the Judicial tribunals established by its authority, and to the practice of the Government under the earlier Presidents, who had so large a share in its formation. To the example of those illustrious patriots, I shall always defer with reverence, and especially to his example, who was, by so many titles, 'the father of his country.'"
The central printed text beautifully highlighted with the use of golden silk, providing a decorative outer "frame-like" presentation. A major rarity for Political and Presidential collectors that will look most impressive when framed for display.
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Although Taylor's Inaugural speech emphasized cooperation with Congress, stating that he: "shall look with confidence to the enlightened patriotism of that body to adopt such measures of conciliation as may harmonize conflicting interests, and tend to perpetuate that Union which should be the paramount object of our hopes and affections," his short term as President (he died suddenly only 16 months into office) was consumed by the bitter and ongoing political turmoil over the expansion of Slavery into the newly acquired Territories from Mexico following the Mexican-American War.
John Murphy (1812-80) was an Irish-born printer and publisher, and one the most respected American publishers of Catholic texts of his day. He immigrated to Delaware from Ireland in 1822 with his parents, and later became a printer's apprentice in Philadelphia. In 1837 he established Murphy & Co. in Baltimore, Maryland, where he became one of the city's most successful publishers.
Murphy was known for his printing of the United States Catholic Magazine (1842-49), as well as other important Catholic and theological texts, for which he received a gold medal from Pope Pius IX, and the honorary title "Printer to the Pope."
Murphy printed similar Commemorative Silk Broadsides featuring the Inaugural addresses of Ninth president, William Henry Harrison, and the 14th president, Franklin Pierce. The example for 12th United States President, Zachary Taylor, Not Recorded in "Threads of History" is unique to our best knowledge.
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