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  1. Discover
  2. Paper: Lunar: We Look to the Moon
  3. Unit: The Politics of the Moon: The Philip & Rosamund Davies US Elections Campaigns Archive

Paper flowers

Commentary

Paper flowers
Accession number: 
MSS Amer. s. 33 / 55
Collection: 
Philip & Rosamund Davies US Elections Campaigns Archive

Whilst corsages are most often associated with weddings and other formal occasions, where a lady might choose a petite bouquet of real flowers to coordinate with her other attire, these carnations are made of paper. The addition of the ‘Kennedy’ label acts as both a signifier of Democratic Party loyalty and a symbol of voter intention, whilst the colour of the flowers and the ribbon were undoubtedly chosen for their patriotic connotations. 

Flower corsage, John F. Kennedy (Democratic), 1960. Philip & Rosamund Davies US Elections Campaigns Archive. MSS Amer. s. 33 / 55. Vere Harmsworth Library (Rothermere American Institute), Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford.