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White House Handmade Game Table

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
White House Handmade Game Table

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Auction Date:2014 Sep 17 @ 11:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Beautiful custom-made game table, made by White House carpenters from White House trees, circa 1950, and later presented to longtime White House favorite, Maitre d’ Charles Ficklin. Multi-purpose game table measures 30 x 30 and stands on four folding 26? legs. Table top is very skillfully inlaid with various types of wood for several games including checkers, chess, and backgammon. Accompanied by a detailed 2010 letter of provenance on White House letterhead from Ficklin’s son, James, which reads, in part: “This handsome 30? x 30? game table was skillfully handmade from White House trees—circa 1950. Using trees and trimmings from the White House lawn, this unique table was made by a highly skilled and artistic White House carpenter in the White House carpentry shop. It was presented to my father, Charles E. Ficklin (1913–1977), who was Maitre De [sic] at the White House.” Also included is a color photo of Raleigh DeGeer Amyx posing with Ficklin’s son and grandson, together with the table, as well as a photocopy of a picture of Charles and his brother, John Ficklin, at the White House. In fine condition. A meticulously hand-crafted piece quite suitable for White House use. President Eisenhower himself was an avid card player, excelling in both poker and bridge, and earning himself a reputation as being quite the card sharp, even forcing his son to abandon him as a bridge partner due to his competitiveness. In addition to its historical significance, this offering stands on its own as a masterful work of art.