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Election Day in New York: a polling-place among the "Upper Ten", 1864. Creator: Unknown. Election Day in New York: a polling-place among the "Upper Ten", 1864. Creator: Unknown
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Election Day in New York: a polling-place among the "Upper Ten", 1864. Creator: Unknown. Election Day in New York: a polling-place among the "Upper Ten", 1864. Creator: Unknown
Election Day in New York: a polling-place among the "Upper Ten", 1864. Crowds at a polling station on 8 November, '...the day of the Presidential election, as well as of the State elections...[The scene is] the upper part of the city, near the fashionable avenues...[of] the aristocratic quarter. Here the poll is taken...in the office of a veterinary surgeon, attached to a livery stable. At any time from sunrise to sunset (which is the time allowed for depositing votes) knots of the richer class of New York citizens - the Upper Ten Thousand, as they are called, are to be seen congregated at this point, anxiously discussing the chances of the rival candidates. Mixed with these, however, a sprinkling of the rougher element is here and there conspicuous. There are, indeed, two or three young men in the crowd who might, on any other day, be seen parading Broadway in rather swell costume, but who have, on this occasion, come out as...pugilistic partisan bullies, attired after the fashion usually affected by those members of the 'Lower Twenty' who 'travel on their muscle.' They have red shirts on, without any collar or cravat; pilot coats, and heavy cowskin boots pulled over their trousers...which shows them to be members of some Fire Company'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864
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Media ID 38079392
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Affluence Citizen Citizens Class Debate Debating Discussing Discussion Election Elections Hand Gestures Opinion Political Event Polling Station Presidential Election Social Class Stable Stables Talking Top Hat Top Hats Tophat Upper Class Voter Voters Voting Wealth Wealthy Electorate Opinions
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the hustle and bustle of Election Day in New York City back in 1864, specifically at a polling-place among the "Upper Ten". The scene is set in the aristocratic quarter of the city, near the fashionable avenues where the elite citizens reside. The polling station itself is located in an unexpected place - the office of a veterinary surgeon attached to a livery stable.
As you look closely at this image, you can see crowds of affluent New Yorkers gathered together, anxiously discussing the chances of rival candidates vying for their votes. Amongst these well-to-do individuals are also sprinklings of rougher elements, such as young men dressed as pugilistic partisan bullies with red shirts, pilot coats, and heavy cowskin boots.
The juxtaposition between the Upper Ten Thousand and members of Fire Companies adds an interesting dynamic to this snapshot in time. It's a reminder that even during important political events like elections, societal divides and class distinctions were still very much prevalent.
This print serves as a fascinating glimpse into history and highlights how democracy played out amongst different social classes on Election Day over 150 years ago.
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