Sold For $1,096
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Exquisite tea cup and saucer set from the chinaware used by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy aboard the presidential yacht, the 'Honey Fitz,' which was named in honor of JFK's maternal grandfather, John Francis 'Honey Fitz' Fitzgerald. Includes a standard teacup (2.5˝ tall, 2.5˝ diameter), a double-handled teacup (2.25˝ tall, 3.5˝ diameter), and two matching saucers (5˝ diameter), all designed and manufactured by Shenango China in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
The elegant set boasts subtle gilt embellishments including golden-striped rims and handles, with central presidential seals flanked by single stars. All are marked on the bottom with Shenango China maker's marks in green. In overall fine condition, with light overall wear.
Consignor notes: "These pieces were from my father who worked on the Special Support Staff in the White House starting with the Johnson administration, then the Nixon administration and the Ford administration. He retired when President Ford was in office. He worked closely with the first family in the Johnson, Nixon and Ford administrations."
Notably, the Honey Fitz remained in use as a presidential yacht during the administrations of Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. While Johnson retained its name as the 'Honey Fitz' to honor JFK's memory, Nixon had it refurbished and renamed to honor his daughter, Patricia. The yacht was retired from official service in the early 1970s, then decommissioned and sold at auction in 1971.
