President Franklin Pierce's China

Today, in 1804, future president Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

While Pierce was President in 1853, the New York World's Fair was held and at the fair Pierce selected the first American-decorated porcelain table service for acquisition by the government. There were two china design presented and Pierce chose the one with the blue and gilt shield shown here (interesting to note, Mrs. Lincoln would later choose the other design with modifications).

Happy birthday, President Pierce!

If you would like to learn more about Woodmere's Pierce china, click on this link:

http://www.woodmerechina.com/whitehouse_items.cfm?item=9