SOUTHBRIDGE MA - INVITATION to 1853 INAUGURAL BALL HONORING PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE and VICE-PRESIDENT WILLIAM R. KING

Item Details

SOUTHBRIDGE MA, 1853

This folded invitation was issued for the March 4, 1853, ball held in Southbridge MA to celebrate the inauguration of Democrats Franklin Pierce and William R. King as president and vice-president of the United States.  The ball was held at Tammany Hall under the leadership of George A. Vinton.

As an interesting sidelight - King was ill with tuberculosis and trying to recuperate in Cuba.  He was sworn in as vice-president in Cuba, and died about a month later.  From April 1853 until March 1857, the position of vice-president was vacant.  As another interesting sidelight - King was reputed to be the longtime romantic partner of the only bachelor president of the US (and Pierce's successor), James Buchanan.  

This  4 1/2" x 6 7/8" invitation was printed on embossed paper. The remaining three pages are blank.  Very good condition.