Speakers of the House have long served as the face of the institution, as exemplified
by this trade card for Wampole Pharmaceuticals. Images of every Speaker who served
from 1849 to 1916 create keepsake value for the advertisement, testifying to the
importance of the Speakership in popular perception.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Jim Oliver Collection
Speaker Pelosi used this gavel to open the 110th Congress, the first to have a woman
serve as the House’s presiding officer.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
Speaker of the House Historical Highlights