President Eisenhower’s personally-owned and -used personalized Spalding golf ball, embossed in black on opposing sides with his initials, “DDE.” It also bears manufacturer’s marks that read “Spalding,” “Kro-Flite,” and “Cadwell-Geer Cover.” The ball exhibits general marks with signs of use. Accompanied by a white golf tee stamped in black down the side, “Dwight Eisenhower.”
Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from the wife of Melvon O. Carter, who had worked on the White House maintenance crew from the time of Presidents Hoover through Nixon. During Mr. Carter’s over 40 years of White House service, he was often in close proximity to the first family. In part: “My husband, Melvon O. Carter…had worked for The White House from the time of President Herbert Hoover in 1932, until President Richard Nixon…from time to time, he would often pick up the personal golf balls of President Eisenhower, and later President Kennedy, from the South Lawn of the White House…This ball belonged to the President and it is not a presentation golf ball…it was owned and used by the President.” President Eisenhower’s enthusiasm for golf was well-known throughout the nation, and he is credited with helping to further popularize the sport—over his eight years in office, Ike played an average of about 100 rounds per year. Golf balls actually used by presidents well-known for playing golf are highly coveted by advanced collectors.
