Description
First edition of the Republican Platform of 1912, signed by their nominee, President William H. Taft.
Octavo, 14pp. Printed pamphlet, bound at spine with staples. Housed in custom blue cloth chemise, lined with blue felt. Previous ownership blindstamp on rear endpaper. Signed by William Howard Taft on the front cover: “Sincerely yours, Wm. H. Taft. January 12, 1920.”
In reaction to the pro-business policies of President William Howard Taft, former President Theodore Roosevelt decided to challenge his protege for the Republican nomination in 1912. Roosevelt lost the nomination to the incumbent president, but moved forward as the nominee of the Progressive Party, commonly known as the Bull Moose Party. Both candidates lost the 1912 election to President Woodrow Wilson, but Roosevelt outperformed Taft (27.4% to 23.2%). President Taft returned to Yale, his alma mater, in 1913 to teach law, and in 1921, he was nominated to serve on the Supreme Court. Taft is the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice on the Supreme Court.
