Stunningly well crafted celluloid powder box, presented by President Harry S. Truman to longtime White House seamstress and housekeeper Lillian Rogers Parks, shortly before the 1948 renovation of the White House. The ivory powder box measures 7.75 x 2.5 x 5.25, and is marked on the bottom, “Lucite Empire,” with the lid trimmed in brown and black. Center of the lid bears an intricate full-length image of a Grecian woman wrapped in a flowing sash, and contained within a feathered-diamond border. The accessory set includes a tray, brush, and comb, all a matching aged golden-yellow color. The comb is marked “Ivory Pyraun.” Accompanied by a detailed 1982 letter of authenticity, on White House letterhead, from Mrs. 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, which reads, in part: “This beautiful celluloid powder box was given to me by President Harry S. Truman at the time of the major White House Restoration which began on November 10, 1948. The powder box was from the guest powder room of the White House…Many famous ladies would have used it…The powder box was used from the Administration of President Woodrow Wilson through Presidents Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, F. D. R. and Truman. When President Truman handed me the box he said, ‘All ladies seem to want to powder their noses—I never did understand why.’” Also accompanied by a similar letter from Parks for the accessories, stating, “so many famous people used this set that I could not begin to count them,” and also noting that a White House guest accidentally burnt a hole through the center of the tray. In overall fine condition, with the aforementioned hole to the tray—the overall displayability of the set remains. An excellent 1920s example of superior quality early celluloid—direct from the Executive Mansion. The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection.
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