DESCRIPTION: This rare illustrated poster was produced by the San Francisco Examiner to mark the 1984 National Democratic Convention held in San Francisco from July 16–19. It presents the political season as a narrative journey down the Yellow Brick Road, using the visual structure of The Wizard of Oz to depict the sequence of primaries, debates, and key dates leading to the convention. The timeline is printed directly on the road, providing a detailed month-by-month chronology of events from early spring through July.
At left, the principal Democratic contenders of 1984 appear as Oz characters traveling together toward the convention site. To the right, opposing forces and political obstacles are shown in the manner of Oz antagonists, including a witch figure flying above the path. The Emerald City is reimagined as San Francisco, with identifiable landmarks such as the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower, and the Golden Gate Bridge. A “Welcome to the Emerald City” sign and border of poppies frame the transition from the campaign trail to the convention city
The artwork is signed “Desrocher,” identifying the illustrator as Jack Desrocher, a staff artist for the San Francisco Examiner during this period. Posters of this type were typically created as promotional or commemorative items connected with the newspaper’s convention coverage. The piece combines political caricature, timeline documentation, and regional iconography to present a complete visual summary of the 1984 Democratic primary season.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1984
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: San Francisco Bay
CONDITION: Good.
A few light signs of age and wrinklig from rolling. No Folds.
COLORING: Process color.
ENGRAVER:
SIZE:
" x
"
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION:
PRICE: $700
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