Queen Elizabeth’s elegant copy of the itinerary for the famous British Royal Visit to the United States on June 7-12, 1939. Beautifully printed itinerary, 6 x 9, bound in quality off-white doeskin, is embossed on the cover, “The Visit of Their Britannic Majesties to the United States of America.” Inside lists the members of the traveling royal party, an incredibly detailed narrative of their travel and social arrangements, and the distances and map of their train travel from the White House all the way to Hyde Park. Accompanied by a handwritten letter of provenance on White House letterhead written 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. Her note reads, in full: “This is a copy of the personal itinerary used by the Queen. Queen Elizabeth used this copy during her visit at the White House in 1939. God save the Queen.” Also included is a typed room arrangement for the royal party at the White House, dated June 1939, and signed by Parks; a typed manuscript, signed by Parks, about the June 8, 1939 State Dinner, listing the menu and describing the challenges faced by the White House chefs, and a red, white, and blue commemorative ribbon. In exceptionally fine condition. With Europe on the brink of war, President Roosevelt invited the King and Queen to the United States to help them win American support and to build a stronger alliance between the US and England, which was strained at times. Roosevelt himself planned every minute of the visit, which would be the first time a reigning British monarch had set foot on American soil. Once FDR finally got the royal couple out of the White House and onto his Hyde Park estate, he famously served them American hot dogs. An important piece of both royal and presidential history.
