Presidential History Dwight D Eisenhower First White House Birthday Plate 1953

Eisenhower White House

Non-Paper Memorabilia

Eisenhower, Dwight D. The President’s First Birthday in the White House, 1953, commemorates Eisenhower’s first birthday after assuming office as the 34th President of the United States. Produced during the first year of an administration led by the former Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during World War II, the plate explicitly associates Eisenhower with “love and peace” through a Pennsylvania Dutch intertwined dove motif. Its inscription places those themes within White House presentation culture at the beginning of his presidency, when Eisenhower’s military reputation and the Cold War pursuit of peace were central elements of his public image. Presidential commemorative china plate, dated October 1953, approximately 10 1/2 inches in diameter, with gold rim. The face bears an intertwined dove design accompanied by the inscription “The President’s First Birthday in the White House” and Eisenhower’s printed signature. The reverse explains the imagery: “This plate commemorates President Eisenhower’s first birthday in the White House. The Pennsylvania Dutch symbol of the intertwined dove signifies love and peace, for which our President firmly stands.” The inscriptions identify the object specifically with Eisenhower’s first presidential birthday rather than with a general White House commemorative occasion. Eisenhower entered the White House in January 1953 after a military career culminating in his command of the Allied invasion of Western Europe, and the plate was issued during the first year in which that wartime commander occupied the presidency. Its dove emblem and accompanying explanation record the language of peace attached to Eisenhower’s presidential image during the early Cold War. In excellent condition. A dated White House presentation object preserving the imagery and language selected to commemorate Eisenhower’s first birthday as president.

Item #13137

Price: $225.00