New White House flatware? - SMP Silver Salon Forums

SM Publications

Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.

SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales

Welcome to the Silver Salon Forums !
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!

Tabletop Lifestyles Forum

The Silver Salon Forums are open to anyone with an interest in silver and a willingness to share. Know little or nothing about silver? Don't worry! Anyone with a genuine desire to explore the subject of silver and related metal crafts is welcome.

To successfully join in,
you must know the following !!
click here

Favorites:^(9/09/07) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

REGISTER (click here)

How to Post Photos

SMP Silver Salon Forums
tline

Tabletop Lifestyles Forum
tline3

New White House flatware?

profile | register | preferences | faq | search

SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone!

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: New White House flatware?
park1226 Posts: 102 Registered: Jun 2005	posted 06-04-2010 07:32 PM [26-1982] I noticed from the various pictures published on line that a different gilded flatware was used at both the Indian and Mexican White House state dinners hosted by the Obama's. It is a classic standard Threaded pattern and I assume that it is vermeil. The historic vermeil service, with the engraved eagle and beaded edge, that was originally chosen by Mrs. Cleveland and made by Durgin was not evident nor were the mother of pearl handled knives frequently used with this service. Does anyone have any information regarding the background of this new gilded flatware? I would have expected that if indeed was a new state service that it would have received some comment in the press. I assume that it was not rented. Press releases regarding these dinners provided histories for the china and crystal but gave no information regarding the flatware. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 06-06-2010 06:19 AM I found this: quote: Michelle Obama's first White House state dinner: Behind the scenes ...... Silver Flatware: “King Charles” Flatware: In 1974, the White House acquired 130 place settings of the well-known Providence manufacturer, Gorham, Inc., then called its “King Charles” pattern (patented in 1893 as “King George”). This flatware is of a rather elaborate 18th-century pattern, variations of which have been made by several companies under the “King” designation. In 2006, Lenox, Inc., then owner of the Gorham molds, was commissioned to make another 170 place settings for the White House. .... IP: Logged
park1226 Posts: 102 Registered: Jun 2005	posted 06-06-2010 07:26 AM Thank for your reply Scott. I found this quote too, however it was not actually for a state dinner but rather for the annual governors' dinner hosted by the president in February 2009. Here is the link:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/02/michelle-obam-1.html The King Charles sterling is rarely used for bona fide state dinners. Here is a picture of the setting from the Mexican dinner last month that gives a clearer picture of the new flatware in question. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-06-2010 07:19 PM After tracking down two sources, the flatware was Barabra Bush's gilded flatware. After I found that out, I found another report saying "The Bushes added to the flatware collection by ordering duplications of the late-19th-century gilded silver flatware in the collection for formal dinners. Made by Kirk Steiff of Baltimore." Decorators in Chief Robert IP: Logged
park1226 Posts: 102 Registered: Jun 2005	posted 06-06-2010 09:34 PM Thank you for your reply Robert. The purchase by Bushes that you referenced was for the service pictured below. The original pieces were ordered during the Cleveland administration and produced by Durgin. Replacement pieces, according to the White House curator, were produced by Kirk in 1950 and 1994. This late 19th century service has a beaded edge with the presidential eagle on the handle. The flatware used by the Obamas for the two state dinners, that is the subject of this post has not been seen before to the best of my knowledge.Here is a picture of the late 19th century vermeil flatware first ordered by the Cleveland administration. IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 06-06-2010 10:14 PM Here is the place where I got this info about the use of the Bushes flatware for the last State Dinner. Seems like they must have gotten it wrong: East Wing Rules Scroll down to 11/24/09 - Update 1 [This message has been edited by chase33 (edited 06-06-2010).] IP: Logged

All times are ET	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a

^1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

^2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

^3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.

| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver