The campaign of 1828 was noteworthy for the personal attacks used by supporters of both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. One attack on Jackson originated from his command of troops in 1815 when he ordered the execution of militia members accused of desertion. Philadelphia Republican newspaper editor and publisher John Binns turned Jackson’s military fame against him by publishing the notorious “Coffin Handbill” poster showing six coffins and claiming Jackson’s order was tantamount to murder. The cartoon offered here, probably produced by James Akin also of Philadelphia, is a satire on the reverse impact of Binn’s “Coffin Handbill.” Binns is shown struggling under numerous coffins on his back plus the weight of figures of Henry Clay (left) and incumbent president John Q. Adams (right). The print is titled “The Pedlar And His Pack Or The Desperate Effort, An Over Balance.” Binns’ cartoon balloon reads: “I Must Have An Extra Dose Of Treasury-Pap, Or Down Go The Coffins Harry, For I Feel Faint Already.” Clay says: “Hold On Jonny Q-For I Find That The People Are Too Much For Us, And I’m Sinking With Jack And His Coffins!” Adams, attempting to retain the presidential chair he is grasping says “I’ll Hang On To The Chair Harry/In Spite Of Coffin Hand Bills Harris’s/Letter Panama Mission Or The Wishes/Of The People.” The print is an etching on fine paper. Outer margins are trimmed but plenty of margin remains outside the line formed by the etching plate. The piece is 10.5x15.75”. Margins have only four hairline tears, all .5” or less and repaired with archival tape on reverse. Minor tanning on the blank reverse. Print displays essentially Mint. A wonderful visual artifact of an historic election that marked the start of a strong two-party system. Scarce. From the Morry Greener Collection.