Attractive Irish linen handkerchief presented to White House seamstress and housekeeper Lillian Rogers Parks by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower upon the former’s retirement in 1959. The lace-trimmed handkerchief, measuring 13.25 x 6.25 folded, is signed in blue ballpoint, “Dwight D. Eisenhower,” and in ink, “Mamie Doud Eisenhower.” The handkerchief is affixed to an 15.75 x 20.5 mount, with attached White House transmittal letter from Parks to noted collector Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, dated October 17, 1983, reading, in part: “I served President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mamie for eight years. They were lovely people. She treated us a bit like we were in the Army but on the other hand she could be extraordinarily kind. When she gave me, and others, a personal gift, she would even tie the bows on the box in which the gift was wrapped, personally. I still have two or three of those hand-tied bows. Although the General had a quick temper (the public rarely saw anything but the wide grin) I personally liked him very much…When the President and Mrs. Eisenhower gave me an inscribed autographed picture upon my retirement in 1959 (I had worked at the White House from 1929-1959) they also gave me a small wrapped present. Inside was a lovely Irish linen handkerchief…trimmed in lace. But what made it so personal was the fact that both of them had signed their name in full.” In fine condition, with both signatures light, but fully legible. An uncommon format signed by both the president and first lady, boasting steadfast provenance.
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