William McKinley & William Jennings Bryan “Gold Standard” / “Free Silver” Portrait Flask Pair
Glass, 1896–1900 — Height: 6¼ inches 
 
A matched pair of molded glass portrait flasks depicting William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan, the principal figures in the monetary debate that defined the presidential election of 1896. Each flask bears a raised portrait bust encircled by the inscriptions “In McKinley We Trust – Free Gold” and “In Bryan We Trust – Free Silver,” succinctly expressing the opposing economic platforms that animated late nineteenth-century American political discourse.
 
Political portrait flasks of this type served as both utilitarian objects and vehicles of partisan expression, translating the era’s contentious currency debate into accessible material form. Surviving pairs representing both candidates are rarely encountered.
 
Condition: Minor roughness to one edge; otherwise well preserved.