Jane Tolmach and the 1956 Democratic National Convention
More than 60-years later, this hat from the 1956 Democratic National Convention remains in nearly pristine condition. Paper items like this rarely last this long. Use your mouse to rotate the image and zoom it to capture some of the interesting details of this piece of ephemera.
Jane Tolmach's medallion from the 1956 Democratic National Convention. The medallion highlights the Chicago skyline and Chicago's history as a western outpost and a city of the future.
Jane Tolmach was appointed as a Stevenson delegate by then Attorney General--and future California Governor--Edmund G. Brown. From the Ventura County Star (3/13/1956).
Jane Tolmach's badge from the California State Democratic Party Convention trumpets Stevenson's candidacy.
This button, a fundraiser for Stevenson-Kefauver, is notable for at least two things. First, the presidential candidate is pictured on the right not the left. Usually the candidate at the "top of the ticket," the presidential nominee, is pictured on the left. Also notable is that the candidates are presented inside of a television. In 1956 televisions were fairly rare. The imagery may seek to picture the candidates as part of a glowing future.
Most hats, unlike the pristine example above, wind up crushed and discarded. This one was not discarded.
These items reflect Jane Tolmach's excitement for attending the DNC and her enthusiasm for the Stevenson-Kefauver ticket. She attended most of the Democratic nominating conventions between 1956 and 2015.
