Washington: 1954-1963. A collection of c.80 official programs issued to the attendees of State Banquets and other special events held in the White House for the entertainment of visiting dignitaries. Most in small format with the Presidential Seal in gold on the upper cover, one with a tassel cord. A rare group of official programs collected by Mr. Preston Bruce, including 50 from the Eisenhower years and 30 from the Kennedy period, including a few duplicates. Part of Mr. Bruce's job was to ensure the successful running of these events. The idea of the State Dinner as a successful way of aiding diplomacy has been established for many centuries, but in the USA a place to conduct such a dinner on a larger scale only really emerged with the reconstruction of the White House in 1902 and the remodeling of the interior 1948-1954. In the laying out and organization of the State Dinners, a lot falls on the First Lady, and it was Jackie Kennedy who changed the layout from a long formal table to a larger number of round tables allowing more people to attend, now up to 140. Some presidents and their wives enjoy the State dinners, while others do not. The idea of entertainment after the meal and speeches came into play in the mid 20th century, and became a good way of showing off the cultural life of the USA.
Washington: 1954-1963. A collection of c.80 official programs issued to the attendees of State Banquets and other special events held in the White House for the entertainment of visiting dignitaries. Most in small format with the Presidential Seal in gold on the upper cover, one with a tassel cord. A rare group of official programs collected by Mr. Preston Bruce, including 50 from the Eisenhower years and 30 from the Kennedy period, including a few duplicates. Part of Mr. Bruce's job was to ensure the successful running of these events. The idea of the State Dinner as a successful way of aiding diplomacy has been established for many centuries, but in the USA a place to conduct such a dinner on a larger scale only really emerged with the reconstruction of the White House in 1902 and the remodeling of the interior 1948-1954. In the laying out and organization of the State Dinners, a lot falls on the First Lady, and it was Jackie Kennedy who changed the layout from a long formal table to a larger number of round tables allowing more people to attend, now up to 140. Some presidents and their wives enjoy the State dinners, while others do not. The idea of entertainment after the meal and speeches came into play in the mid 20th century, and became a good way of showing off the cultural life of the USA.
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