Benigno C. Hernández and Hugh H. Williams Printing Plate
Dateca. 1913
Mediumcopper
Dimensions1 3/8 × 2 5/8 × 1/16 in. (3.5 × 6.7 × 0.2 cm)
ClassificationsTools, Implements & Weights
Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Robert W. Wilson Sr.
Object numberPC2011.6.1
DescriptionThis copper printing plate was designed for mass-printing business cards for Benigno C. Hernandez and Hugh H. Williams as part of their roles on the new State of New Mexico Commission. Copper prints were used for reproducing business cards at this time. The rectangular plate has their names and occupation embossed with the letters mirrored for stamping. The first part of the text reads "Hugh H. Williams / Commission of New Mexico / For Member of the State Corporation and the second section has the name Benigno C. Hernandez capitalized, and the following words Of The United States / For Member Of The House of Representatives." As the text on this plate is for printing, the upper case letters are taller, reversed, and below the text line, and the punctuation appears reversed. Benigno C. Hernández (1862-1954) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1914, making him the first Hispanic from New Mexico to serve as a full member of Congress since New Mexico was granted statehood. Hugh H. Williams ran at the same time as Corporation Commissioner.On View
Not on view
