G-20 Presidential China

Ok....we've seen the photos and read the story. First Lady Michelle Obama's gift of a custom tea service is not a bad idea....but, personally, I would have liked the design to be a bit more upbeat and warmer. I know, I know...Steel City....Rose on the bottom...referencing Lincoln and all that. But we would have designed something a bit more inviting and something that looked a little less industrial.

Having said that, we are glad the First Lady chose a gift from a category so near and dear to us. Perhaps next time, we could recommend an alternative?

Hmmm.....any thoughts on what could have been a more appropriate design?

Inpsiration and Information

If you have ever wondered how we research and come up with details on Presidential china or decide which Presidents to reproduce....we tend to do it the old fashioned way and that is to continually search and look for bits and pieces of information that will help us bring out the best and most authentic reproductions possible.

For instance, a book we've been reviewing lately is a 2007 book by John Bowman, "The History of the American Presidency". It's a pretty quick read, filled with anecdotes, and stories. Most of what we read or learn about an individual president never gets actually used in our reproductions (or collateral materials). However, it does provide a 'texture' for us to better understand that particular president and to help us to convey that in our presentation of his china.

It's a process and a continual one.

Main Line Antiques Show

With the Presidential China of Mr and Mrs. Set Momjian as its centerpiece, the popular Main Line Antiques Show returns for its fourth season.

Set aside the upcoming weekend of November 21-22 and travel to Wayne, Pennsylvania for a show that is not to be missed. Mr and Mrs. Momjian are the foremost collectors of Presidential and White House China and their collection has been seen around the world. Now, it comes back home to suburban Philadelphia!

Here's a link to the show's website:
http://www.mlas.org/

President James Buchanan

One of our prettiest White House Collection designs is the the china of President James Buchanan. Here's a link to an interesting article in The Washington Post about Wheatland - Buchanan's Pennsylvania home - and his time as President.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061602956.html

John Adams, from Abigail - "Remember The Ladies"

It was today in 1776, that Abigail Adams wrote to her husband advising him to "remember the ladies" while drafting laws for our new country. Mrs. Adams was a prolific letter writer and held tremendous influence over her future president husband.

While on assignment as foreign minister in Europe, future President Adams acquired at least two sets of French fine porcelain. And, as the very first President to actually live in The White House (then called the "President's House), it is probable that the Adams' Sevres service with the blue cornflowers served as the state china during the administration of President John Adams.

For more information on Woodmere's reproduction of the Adams china, click on this link:
http://www.woodmerechina.com/whitehouse_items.cfm?item=45

Reagan China: Simple Beauty

Today, 28 years ago in 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr. outside the Washington Hilton hotel. It is hard to imagine that so much time has past since this crazy event.

Pictured at left is the beautiful Reagan china which, according to the White House Historical Association is "based on the design of the first American made White House china created for President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson in 1918, the Reagan china has alternating gold and red bands. The gold Presidential Seal marks the center of the ivory plate. The entire china service serves 220 guests."

Possibly because of the color red or the simple classical design, we think this is one of the most beautiful of the Presidential White House China patterns.

The photo is by Bruce White and from the White House Historical Association.

Presidential Plates On Display at Concord Museum

The Presidential China exhibit at the Concord Museum in Concord, Massachusetts is open.

Here's a link to a local Concord website with a news article on the exhibition from a local newspaper: http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/fun/entertainment/arts/x1732142268/Presidential-plate-settings-on-display-at-Concord-Museum