American Presidential History: Bill Clinton and Al Gore 1997 Inauguration Commemorative Tie Bar

Clinton Inaugration

Non Paper Memorabilia

Clinton, Bill and Gore, Al 1997 inauguration commemorative tie bar documents the ceremonial material culture surrounding their second inauguration as President and Vice President of the United States and supports study of presidential inaugurations, political memorabilia, and the visual symbolism of federal government. Clinton and Gore were sworn in for their second terms on January 20, 1997, during the 53rd Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies on the West Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The ceremony was the first presidential inauguration broadcast live over the Internet, placing the event within the changing media environment of the late twentieth century.

Inauguration of President and Vice President. 1997. Gold and navy tie bar incorporating an engraved image of the United States Capitol Building on a gold shield, surrounded by fifty stars. Small lettering around the navy blue outer circle reads, “Inaugration of President and Vice President,” with “1997” appearing at the bottom; the misspelling of “Inauguration” is present on the object as described and has therefore been retained here. The combination of the Capitol, fifty stars, gold shield, and presidential inaugural inscription uses recognizable national and governmental imagery to identify the accessory with the ceremonies marking the beginning of Clinton and Gore’s second terms.

The 1997 inauguration was organized around the theme “An American Journey: Building a Bridge to the 21st Century,” emphasizing the approaching millennium and the administration’s second term; the swearing in was followed by the traditional inaugural parade from Capitol Hill toward the White House. As a wearable commemorative object, the tie bar preserves a small scale example of the souvenirs and accessories through which presidential inaugurations entered American political material culture. Its Capitol imagery also connects the object directly to the site where Clinton and Gore took their oaths that year. In excellent condition, corresponding to near fine. A well preserved piece of dated inaugural memorabilia documenting the ceremonial iconography surrounding the Clinton Gore second inauguration.

Item #14268

Price: $100.00