David Claypoole Johnston was an artist and political cartoonist, who spent part of his life in Dorchester on Payson Avenue.
Today’s illustration is an example of his work.
In the 1840 U.S. election, Democrat Martin Van Buren hoped to be elected for a second term to the U.S. presidency, although he was blamed for failing to address a financial crisis during his first administration. His opponent was Whig William Henry Harrison, a war hero. Harrison won. The symbol used by the Whigs was a log cabin.
Today’s illustration shows a metamophicard, owned by the American Antiquarian Society, of Marti Van Buren. The card has a tab that, when pulled or pushed, changes the image. The “before” image shows Van Buren enjoying a goblet of White House champagne. His goblet has his initials, MVB. The “after” image depicts Van Buren frowning at his mug of log cabin hard cider. The goblet now has the initials WHH.