Haddonfield lawyer immersed in political memorabilia

Philadelphia Inquirer, The, July, 2008 by Edward Colimore Inquirer Staff Writer

To some, Joseph Murphy's Haddonfield workplace may look more like a political campaign headquarters than a law office. Walls, shelves, and display cases are crammed with presidential-election memorabilia dating back to Andrew Jackson's first race in 1824. They range from treasures such as an 1860 daguerreotype pin of Abraham Lincoln and a Teddy Roosevelt campaign poster to lighthearted items: Ronald and Nancy Reagan slippers, a singing Hillary Clinton doll, and Richard Nixon bubble-gum cigars.

While most other Americans are just beginning to focus on the 2008 presidential contest, Murphy surrounds himself year-round with more than 1,000 artifacts from political campaigns. "I was always interested in politics," said the lawyer, who lives within walking distance of his office. "And when you're a collector, you want to display your stuff." On the first floor are original John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Hubert H. Humphrey posters, and bandannas advertising the 1884 ...