1896 HUGE SIZE WILLIAM McKINLEY BRASS FIGURAL GOLD BUG CAMPAIGN ITEM

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1896 HUGE SIZE WILLIAM McKINLEY BRASS FIGURAL GOLD BUG CAMPAIGN ITEM:
$179.65

Very Rare and original, massive size 1896 William McKinley Figural Brass \"Gold Bug\". This amazing, VERY large size cast brass Figure of a Gold Bug measures approx. 4 1/2\" long and approx. 4 1/2\" across its lower legs. The Gold Bug is mounted on a shield shaped wooden plaque which measures 7 1/2\" long and 6 1/4\" at its widest.

We originally that this wonderful, large size Cold Bug was made of cast iron with a gold gilt surface finish but the figure does not attract a magnet and on close inspection it appears that the \"Bug\" is made of cast brass with a gold gilt finish.

While we have handled hundreds of William McKinley Political Campaign items (and scores of \"Gold Bug\" pieces) we had never encountered this HUGE figural Gold Bug before. Our initial research could not uncover any information about this massive Gold Bug and we were unable to uncover any previous sales or sale records. We did finally uncover an example of this VERY rare, 1896 Campaign Item in the collection of the McKinley Memorial Library at the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial. Their description reads as follows: \"During William McKinley\'s first presidential campaign, the gold standard was an important issue. Opponent William Jennings Bryan advocated departure from standard, issuing more money, especially coinage in silver. McKinley\'s stand was to remain with gold standard. The \"gold bug\" became a symbol in campaign.\"

This exceptionally rare and VERY large size figural brass Gold Bug is in outstanding condition - clean and beautiful with no cracks, breaks, chips, bends, physical damage or repairs of any kind. The \"Bug\" retains what appears to be its original, gold gilt finish and displays beautifully as mounted. The shield shaped, wooden plaque on which the Gold Bug is mounted is in excellent condition with some minor surface abrasions around the feet of the Gold Bug. We are unsure if the wooden plaque is original or a later display construct but in either case the \"Bug displays beautifully as mounted.

An exceptionally rare and very attractive, massive size 1896 William McKinley Figural Brass \"Gold Bug\" and a fantastic addition to any collection!!

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Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at buyers request. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.

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Important Notes about Shipping Charges:

The amount quoted for Shipping & Handling is calculated by and is equal to the EXACT amount charged by the Post Office plus a $1.00 \"packing fee\" - the $1.00 fee is our only compensation for the virgin packing materials we use on all of our professionally packaged boxes as well as our cost for the salaried help that does most of our packing - as I am sure you can see, we make NO profit on the Shipping charges and, in fact, our costs are usually greater than the $1.00 fee. Please contact us if there are any issues regarding the cost of shipping.