1884
Two national political conventions were held in Chicago during the summer of 1884. In June, the Republicans nominated Senator James Blaine of Maine, and a month later, the Democrats picked Governor Grover Cleveland of New York. Printed during the campaign that followed, this hotel trade card predicted that New York would be the swing state in a close election. As things turned out, the election was so close that it was decided by two events during the last week of the contest. In fact, one could argue that had Blaine eaten a “regular dinner,” such as the one being advertised below for 25 cents, instead of attending a lavish banquet in his honor at Delmonico’s, he may have become the 22nd president of the United States.
