June 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, June 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/27/2013
Very rare Lincoln White House china plate ordered by Mary Todd in early 1865. Plate is from the known ''Buff Set'', a less ornate and rather minimal design used for everyday occasions at the White House. Most of the Buff Set collection is now housed in the White House or the Smithsonian, with very few pieces still in private hands. Cream colored dish with a buff border and gilt circular edge also has a gilt circle at center. Made by ''J.K. Kerr'' of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose company was known as ''China House'' or ''China Hall.'' This was the second set ordered by Mary Todd, just two months before the President's assassination, and the bill for the china remained outstanding until Johnson took office. With a copy of a notarized letter as provenance from the original family who owned this plate, whose great grandfather bought the pieces at auction in the 1880's. Provenance also includes copies of letters from both the Smithsonian and The White House, to whom the family gave other pieces of this china set. The letters confirm the history of the pieces and thank the family for the donations. Plate has a ''581/30'' tiny sticker attached to verso and no other markings or denotations. Minor flecks of wear, else very good to near fine condition.
Exceedingly Rare Lincoln White House China Plate -- From the ''Buff Set'' Ordered by Mary Todd in 1865 Less Than Two Months Before Lincoln's Assassination
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