This original pen and ink drawing is a political cartoon from the 19th century.

It shows Uncle Sam and William Jennings Bryan talking. The Title of the cartoon " Sound, Nothing but Sound", is written in pencil at the top.

It is in "as found " condition which means it needs restoration. This original drawing needs a careful cleaning that includes a bleach bath by a professional restorer to remove a large area of staining. It has the frame it was found in, but it is in shabby condition and has a non acid free wooden back (part of the cause of the staining). The buyer will also receive the old frame if he or she chooses.

It is signed by Grant Wallace lower left under Uncle Sam's foot.

Grant Wallace was born in Hopkins, Missouri in 1868. In 1889 he took classes at the Art Students League in New York City. Around 1892 he moved to San Francisco and worked as an artist and reporter for the Examiner, an editorial and feature writer for the Chronicle and a war correspondent for the Evening Bulletin in Japan and China. Later he entered politics, wrote short stories and screen plays, and lectured on occultism.

William Jennings Bryan ran for the presidency three times as the Democratic Party candidate -- in 1896, 1900 and 1908 -- and lost all three times.

In 1896 Bryan was able to persuade the Democrats that paper currency, money, did not need to be "backed" by gold. Bryan wanted the United States to use silver to back the dollar at a value that would inflate the prices farmers received for their crops, easing their debt burden. This position was known as the Free Silver Movement. At the Democratic National Convention in 1896, Bryan not only persuaded his party that he was right, he also secured the Democrats' nomination for the presidency with his skills as a speaker. Bryan's opponent, Republican William McKinley, beat Bryan at his own game. His campaign raised far more money than Bryan's did and he was able to persuade voters that dropping the "gold standard" would lead to inflation, rising prices for goods and services. McKinley convinced the people that the Free Silver Movement was a bad idea. As a result, McKinley won the election.

William Jennings Bryan also found notoriety later on in life with his involvement with the Scopes Monkey Trial and the argument against teaching evolution in the schools.