Great Republican Harrison and Morton campaign ball, 1888

Photograph shows several men, including possibly D.E. Brockett, designer and builder, around a gigantic campaign ball that was rolled for Benjamin Harrison. The phrase "get the ball rolling" comes from a campaign publicity activity that began in 1840 with rowdy men and boys rolling a large ball from town-to-town to bring attention to their candidate.
T26083 U.S. Copyright Office.

Printed on mount: "Old Allegany in 1840 / Started the ball for Harrison; / In '88 as they did then, / We roll it on for Gallant Ben. / Roll along, Roll away," / Keep the ball in motion; / The spirit of our men is up / from Rocky Hills to Ocean."
Printed on mount: Circumference, 42 feet, diameter, 14 feet.
Printed on mount: D.E. Brockett, Cumberland, Md., Designer and Builder.
Publication date based on copyright statement and/or copyright stamp on item.
Copyright stamp, date, and number appear on upper left corner of photograph.
Exhibited: "Presidential Elections" in the Agile Display, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2016 - Jan. 22, 2017.