Presidential Progress

A couple years back a couple sellers started posting cards from the 1956 Topps Presidents set on the Sportlots auction site and I was able to pick up quite a few for pretty reasonable prices.  I also trolled eBay and picked up a few as well.  When I set up my goals for 2015, I decided to pursue the completion of this set and I have finally made some progress.  This set combines 2 areas I really enjoy as in addition to card collecting I like to read Presidential biographies and historical fiction books.

Here are the 4 recent pick ups with a fun fact about the card topics:

Card #2 - Declaration of Independence. 

Fun Facts - There was a rule that was adopted that indicated the vote had to be unanimous in order to have the Declaration approved.  John Dickinson proposed a unanimous vote knowing that if unanimity passed the Declaration wouldn't be used because Pennsylvania would vote no. It ended up in a tied vote so John Hancock voted in favor of unanimity. They had 6 nays to win over for it to be unanimous. South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, and New York were won over then they won over Pennsylvania so Dickerson left to fight for the colonies.  Dickerson was hoping for reconciliation with Britain.  He was considered the "last of the moderates" and was reluctant to cut the proverbial apron strings with Mother England.

 Card #17 - Franklin Pierce - 14th President of the United States

Fun Facts - Pierce was the 2nd President to hold office without a Vice President.  William Rufus DeVane King was selected but died before taking office.  Also, Pierce was the 1st President to introduce a Christmas Tree to the White House.

Card #26 Benjamin Harrison - 23rd President of the United States

Fun Facts - Harrison was given two nicknames, "The Human Iceberg" because his personality was cold and unfriendly and "Kid Gloves" because he wore goat skin gloves to guard his hands from infection.  Harrison was also the first President to get electricity installed in the White House.

Card #27 William McKinley - 25th President of the United States

Fun Facts - McKinley loved red carnations and often wore one in his lapel to bring him good luck.  On September 6th, 1901 McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, NY shortly after giving his lucky carnation to a young girl.  He was shot at close range twice in the stomach and died 8 days later.  He might have been able to be saved but doctors could not locate the bullet and remove it so infection set in.  

I am down to needing just 3 cards to finish off this set, #3 George Washington, #4 John Adams and #16 Millard Fillmore - wish me luck!