President Harding’s personally-owned and -used travel toilet kit, presented by Florence Harding to White House First Maid Maggie Rogers after the president’s sudden passing. Leather kit, with carrying strap, measures 12 x 8, with “W. G. H.,” embossed in gold on the front flap above the latch. Opening to an overall size of 16.5 x 20, the kit has straps and loops for 15 different pieces, with four original pieces still contained in the kit. Included are: a bar of soap and covered soap dish, shaving brush, and two empty tubes. Accompanied by a 1982 detailed letter of provenance, on White House letterhead, by Lillian Rogers Parks, who was a best selling author as well as housekeeper and seamstress at the White House for over 30 years, from President Hoover through President Eisenhower. Letter reads, in part: “This Toilet Kit was owned and used by President Warren G. Harding. When the President died in August 1923, the First Lady, Florence Harding gave it to my Mama, Maggie Rogers, First Maid of the White House. This was during the few days Mrs. Harding was packing so that President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge could move into the White House…The President used this on trips from Marion, Ohio as well as Washington, D. C. [and all over the country]” In fine condition, with expected light wear from travel and use. A distinguished and particularly refined relic of the former president.
