IMPORTANT LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL PART DINNER SERVICE ORDERED BY MARY TODD LINCOLN.

IMPORTANT LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL PART DINNER SERVICE ORDERED BY MARY TODD LINCOLN. Circa 1865. Known as the “Buff” set, originally ordered from J.K. Kerr of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose establishment was known as “China House”, by Mary Todd Lincoln as the second set for The White House ordered during the second term of Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency. We are offering 88 pieces from this original historic dinner service, often referred to as the “Buff China”. Consisting of: a) 1 (one) large soup tureen with cover (minus ladle) measuring 12″ h x 15″ l; b) 1 (one) sauce tureen with cover with attached underplate measuring 6-3/4″ h x 8-1/2″ l; c) 2 (two) large vegetable dishes with covers measuring 7-3/4″ h x 12-3/4″ l; d) 2 (two) small vegetable dishes with covers measuring 6″ h x 10″ l; e) 1 (one) large footed serving bowl measuring 6″ h x 11″ d; f) 1 (one) large oval serving platter measuring 2-1/8″ h x 19-3/4″ l x 13-3/4″ w; g) 1 (one) small oval serving platter measuring 1-1/2″ h x 13-3/4″ l x 9-1/4″ w; h) 1 (one) sauce boat with handle measuring 6-1/4″ h x 8-1/4″ l x 3-3/4″ w and matching stand measuring 10″ l x 5-3/4″ w; i) 1 (one) oval scalloped bone dish measuring 8″ l x 4-3/4″ w; j) 11 (eleven) dinner plates measuring 9-1/4″ d; k) 12 (twelve) soup plates measuring 9-1/2″ d; l) 12 (twelve) dessert plates measuring 7-3/4″ d; m) 11 (eleven) ice cream or fruit deep plates measuring 6-3/4″ d; n) 14 (fourteen) after dinner coffee cups measuring 3-1/4″ d and 16 (sixteen) matching saucers measuring 5-3/4″ d. Each decorated with a wide buff band within gold gilt borders with a gold gilt circle in the center of the plates, coffee cups, saucers, and footed serving bowl. The covered dishes with artichoke finials and scrolled leaftip handles. The sauce boat with a lion head handle, the sauce boat stand with a scrolling leaf decoration at one end. The scalloped bone dish with a gilt scallop shell decoration within gilt leaftips. Reference: Official White House China, 1789 to the Present, second edition by Margaret Brown Klapthor. At the end of 1864 Mary Todd Lincoln proceeded to order a new set of Presidential china, unlike the well-known magenta Solferino set used throughout the first term of Lincoln’s presidency, from a different firm; that of James K. Kerr of 529 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose establishment was known as “China House”. On January 9th and 10th, 1865 it is documented that she sent telegrams to James K. Kerr requesting immediate delivery of the new dinner service (reference: Mary Todd Lincoln, Her Life and Letters by Justin G. Turner & Linda Levitt Turner, 1972). Despite these requests, it appears the set known as “One extra large French China Dining, Dessert and Coffee Service decorated on a white ground delicate Buff border with burnished Gold Lines”, was not billed until January 30, 1865 and that the primary delivery of this same set by Harnden Express did not take place until February 13, 1865, as documented by the National Archives, Miscellaneous Treasury Account, vouchers 25 & 26, account number 157178. Two months later, President Lincoln was assassinated. Subsequently, a meeting between B.B. French, the Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds, and the new President Andrew Johnson occurred regarding the non-payment of the invoice for the china recently ordered by Mrs. Lincoln. President Johnson was asked to approve its payment, which he did on August 29, 1865. The second additional order for this service was paid for in February of 1866. It is surmised that the Johnson’s did not like the “Buff” set because on January 17, 1866 an order was placed with E. V. Haughwout of Haughwout & Co., New York City to replenish the Solferino china set. On July 23, 1866, the 29th Congress passed an Act providing for the appointment of an official steward of the Executive Mansion. At that time, Secretary of the Interior, Orville H. Browning, directed Benjamin B. French to take the inventory of the White House, which was accomplished with the then steward, William Slade on February 28, 1867. A second inventory, taken on December 14, 1869, during the Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, lists the Solferino set and also lists a buff set, obviously the one ordered by Mrs. Lincoln. President Chester A. Arthur, in the first Autumn of his Administration, directed an extensive redecoration of the Executive Mansion. During this event, assisted by the doorkeeper, Charles Loeffler, President Arthur inventoried and evaluated the property within the Mansion. Under the direction of the steward, William Crump, the pieces of china to be discarded were packed into 30 barrels. The remnants of three services were packed away in storage within the Mansion. It is believed these were from Presidents Lincoln, Grant and Hayes. Little else is known relating to the outcome of the other pieces of the buff Lincoln dinner service beyond those pieces that are documented to be in the collection of the Smithsonian Institute and of those documented pieces remaining in the White House collection. During the late 19th and opening of the 20th century, two separate events took place concerning the disposal of surplus items from the Executive Mansion. The partial set being offered here was purchased at public auction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1880-1890 by Sylvanus Hall. He then passed it to his daughter, Georgia Hall Conley. She passed it on to her son, Frank G. G. Conley. He passed it on to his daughter, Fritzie Conley Carper. SIZE: As noted above. PROVENANCE: Accompanied by 1) copy of the receipt from The White House dated August 25, 1980 acknowledging the donation of a coffee cup and saucer together with “a small covered vegetable tureen” from Mrs. Fritzie Conley Carper and Mrs. Carter Conley Hardesty signed by Clement E. Conger, The Curator for The White House Museum; 2) a copy of the letter of acknowledgment written to Mrs. Carper on January 27, 1981 by Clement E. Conger, on behalf of the Committee for the Preservation of The White House, for the donation of a cup and saucer “believed to be from the state service ordered for the White House by Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.”; 3) a copy of the receipt from The Smithsonian Institution issued to Mrs. Carper by Claudia B. Kidwell, Chairman of the Department of Social and National History dated September 29, 1980 acknowledging the gift of a “9-1/2″ plate, cup, and a saucer” belonging to the “buff services ordered and received Mrs. Abraham Lincoln for The White House in 1865”. CONDITION: a) Overall very good, no damage of restoration noted; b) very good overall; c) the first with a spider crack to lid, otherwise very good, the second with small spider crack in lid and a more pronounced spider crack in bottom of base, otherwise good; d) the first very good, the second with chip in base rim, otherwise good; e) very good overall, no damages or restoration noted; f) the platter with a substantial chip and repair at one end, a piece has been glued back, but showing losses to glazed surface, no other restoration or damages noted; g) with minor underglaze discoloration at end of platter beneath rim, no other defects or damages noted; h) sauce boat with chip to base rim at rear, stand with no damages or restorations noted; i) very good with no defects or restoration noted; j) one with chip in rim, one with base rim chip, otherwise very good; k) very good with no damage or restoration noted; l) very good with no damage or restoration noted; m) two with hairline cracks, four each with a chip on the rim, five very good with no damages or restoration; n) one cup with rim chip emitting hairlines, one cup missing handle, twelve cups very good overall with no damages or restoration noted, one saucer with multiple hairline cracks, fifteen saucers very good overall with no damages or restoration noted. It should be noted that most, if not all pieces, could be described as having minimal yet apparent losses to gilding. None are considered severe and none of the losses effect the buff bands. The glazed surfaces are mostly without any evidence of surface scratches as one would expect to find as a result of cutlery. 9-98192 (30,000-50,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2150	$28,750.00	IMPORTANT LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL PART DINNER SERVICE ORDERED BY MARY TODD LINCOLN. Circa 1865. Known as the “Buff” set, originally ordered from J.K. Kerr of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose establishment was known as “China House”, by Mary Todd Lincoln as the second set for The White House ordered during the second term of Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency. We are offering 88 pieces from this original historic dinner service, often referred to as the “Buff China”. Consisting of: a) 1 (one) large soup tureen with cover (minus ladle) measuring 12″ h x 15″ l; b) 1 (one) sauce tureen with cover with attached underplate measuring 6-3/4″ h x 8-1/2″ l; c) 2 (two) large vegetable dishes with covers measuring 7-3/4″ h x 12-3/4″ l; d) 2 (two) small vegetable dishes with covers measuring 6″ h x 10″ l; e) 1 (one) large footed serving bowl measuring 6″ h x 11″ d; f) 1 (one) large oval serving platter measuring 2-1/8″ h x 19-3/4″ l x 13-3/4″ w; g) 1 (one) small oval serving platter measuring 1-1/2″ h x 13-3/4″ l x 9-1/4″ w; h) 1 (one) sauce boat with handle measuring 6-1/4″ h x 8-1/4″ l x 3-3/4″ w and matching stand measuring 10″ l x 5-3/4″ w; i) 1 (one) oval scalloped bone dish measuring 8″ l x 4-3/4″ w; j) 11 (eleven) dinner plates measuring 9-1/4″ d; k) 12 (twelve) soup plates measuring 9-1/2″ d; l) 12 (twelve) dessert plates measuring 7-3/4″ d; m) 11 (eleven) ice cream or fruit deep plates measuring 6-3/4″ d; n) 14 (fourteen) after dinner coffee cups measuring 3-1/4″ d and 16 (sixteen) matching saucers measuring 5-3/4″ d. Each decorated with a wide buff band within gold gilt borders with a gold gilt circle in the center of the plates, coffee cups, saucers, and footed serving bowl. The covered dishes with artichoke finials and scrolled leaftip handles. The sauce boat with a lion head handle, the sauce boat stand with a scrolling leaf decoration at one end. The scalloped bone dish with a gilt scallop shell decoration within gilt leaftips. Reference: Official White House China, 1789 to the Present, second edition by Margaret Brown Klapthor. At the end of 1864 Mary Todd Lincoln proceeded to order a new set of Presidential china, unlike the well-known magenta Solferino set used throughout the first term of Lincoln’s presidency, from a different firm; that of James K. Kerr of 529 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose establishment was known as “China House”. On January 9th and 10th, 1865 it is documented that she sent telegrams to James K. Kerr requesting immediate delivery of the new dinner service (reference: Mary Todd Lincoln, Her Life and Letters by Justin G. Turner & Linda Levitt Turner, 1972). Despite these requests, it appears the set known as “One extra large French China Dining, Dessert and Coffee Service decorated on a white ground delicate Buff border with burnished Gold Lines”, was not billed until January 30, 1865 and that the primary delivery of this same set by Harnden Express did not take place until February 13, 1865, as documented by the National Archives, Miscellaneous Treasury Account, vouchers 25 & 26, account number 157178. Two months later, President Lincoln was assassinated. Subsequently, a meeting between B.B. French, the Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds, and the new President Andrew Johnson occurred regarding the non-payment of the invoice for the china recently ordered by Mrs. Lincoln. President Johnson was asked to approve its payment, which he did on August 29, 1865. The second additional order for this service was paid for in February of 1866. It is surmised that the Johnson’s did not like the “Buff” set because on January 17, 1866 an order was placed with E. V. Haughwout of Haughwout & Co., New York City to replenish the Solferino china set. On July 23, 1866, the 29th Congress passed an Act providing for the appointment of an official steward of the Executive Mansion. At that time, Secretary of the Interior, Orville H. Browning, directed Benjamin B. French to take the inventory of the White House, which was accomplished with the then steward, William Slade on February 28, 1867. A second inventory, taken on December 14, 1869, during the Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, lists the Solferino set and also lists a buff set, obviously the one ordered by Mrs. Lincoln. President Chester A. Arthur, in the first Autumn of his Administration, directed an extensive redecoration of the Executive Mansion. During this event, assisted by the doorkeeper, Charles Loeffler, President Arthur inventoried and evaluated the property within the Mansion. Under the direction of the steward, William Crump, the pieces of china to be discarded were packed into 30 barrels. The remnants of three services were packed away in storage within the Mansion. It is believed these were from Presidents Lincoln, Grant and Hayes. Little else is known relating to the outcome of the other pieces of the buff Lincoln dinner service beyond those pieces that are documented to be in the collection of the Smithsonian Institute and of those documented pieces remaining in the White House collection. During the late 19th and opening of the 20th century, two separate events took place concerning the disposal of surplus items from the Executive Mansion. The partial set being offered here was purchased at public auction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1880-1890 by Sylvanus Hall. He then passed it to his daughter, Georgia Hall Conley. She passed it on to her son, Frank G. G. Conley. He passed it on to his daughter, Fritzie Conley Carper. SIZE: As noted above. PROVENANCE: Accompanied by 1) copy of the receipt from The White House dated August 25, 1980 acknowledging the donation of a coffee cup and saucer together with “a small covered vegetable tureen” from Mrs. Fritzie Conley Carper and Mrs. Carter Conley Hardesty signed by Clement E. Conger, The Curator for The White House Museum; 2) a copy of the letter of acknowledgment written to Mrs. Carper on January 27, 1981 by Clement E. Conger, on behalf of the Committee for the Preservation of The White House, for the donation of a cup and saucer “believed to be from the state service ordered for the White House by Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.”; 3) a copy of the receipt from The Smithsonian Institution issued to Mrs. Carper by Claudia B. Kidwell, Chairman of the Department of Social and National History dated September 29, 1980 acknowledging the gift of a “9-1/2″ plate, cup, and a saucer” belonging to the “buff services ordered and received Mrs. Abraham Lincoln for The White House in 1865”. CONDITION: a) Overall very good, no damage of restoration noted; b) very good overall; c) the first with a spider crack to lid, otherwise very good, the second with small spider crack in lid and a more pronounced spider crack in bottom of base, otherwise good; d) the first very good, the second with chip in base rim, otherwise good; e) very good overall, no damages or restoration noted; f) the platter with a substantial chip and repair at one end, a piece has been glued back, but showing losses to glazed surface, no other restoration or damages noted; g) with minor underglaze discoloration at end of platter beneath rim, no other defects or damages noted; h) sauce boat with chip to base rim at rear, stand with no damages or restorations noted; i) very good with no defects or restoration noted; j) one with chip in rim, one with base rim chip, otherwise very good; k) very good with no damage or restoration noted; l) very good with no damage or restoration noted; m) two with hairline cracks, four each with a chip on the rim, five very good with no damages or restoration; n) one cup with rim chip emitting hairlines, one cup missing handle, twelve cups very good overall with no damages or restoration noted, one saucer with multiple hairline cracks, fifteen saucers very good overall with no damages or restoration noted. It should be noted that most, if not all pieces, could be described as having minimal yet apparent losses to gilding. None are considered severe and none of the losses effect the buff bands. The glazed surfaces are mostly without any evidence of surface scratches as one would expect to find as a result of cutlery. 9-98192 (30,000-50,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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