Black purse and veil personally-owned and -worn by former First Lady Florence Harding during the mourning period of her husband, President Warren G. Harding, both of which were presented to longtime White House maid Maggie Rogers during the Harding-Coolidge transition period. The black lace veil measures 8" wide and 51" in length, and bears an intricate body design that is trimmed with a scalloped edge with lovely floral patterns. The black purse, approximately 7" x 4.5", is composed of a brocade-style fabric with upper brass-tone clasps; the interior is lined with a beige corded fabric, with a black safety pin attached above a small pocket that contains an inventory tag annotated in Rogers' hand: "Mrs. Harding, #67." The purse is topped with a black fabric strap with braided designs to either end. Included with the lot is a black-bordered admission pass to the "Funeral Services of Warren Gamaliel Harding" on August 8, 1923, a vintage 5.5 x 3.25 photo of a crowd outside of the White House, with German typing on the reverse (translated), "For Emil. After an audience with President Harding," and a black-bordered admission card (with envelope) to the Memorial Amphitheatre at the Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921, dating to the interment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In overall fine condition, with a few small holes to the lace veil.
Accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Lillian Rogers Parks, the daughter Maggie Rogers, who served as a White House housemaid and seamstress for 30 years. Typed on White House stationery and dated July 4, 1982, the letter is addressed to noted collector Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, and it reads, in part: "The black purse and veil were owned and used by the First Lady Florence Harding during the mourning period of her husband, President Warren G. Harding…My mama, Maggie Rogers, was given these personal items shortly after the funeral when the First Lady was moving out and President and Mrs. Coolidge were moving in the White House."
From the esteemed Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection.
