The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-24
FOR THE WHITE HOUSE
Mrs. Roosevelt Orders China
Service at $4,000 Cost.

Albany, N. Y, Sept. 24.-When Mrs
Theodore Roosevelt retires as the mis-
tress of the White House she will leave
a souvenir which will endear her to fu-
ture presidents wives.
With the change in the interior deco
rations and arrangements of the White
House there will also be a new set of
china and glassware which will be the
envy of every housewife in the country.
It is doubtful If there is another set as
handsome in use in the United States.
The price to be paid for this porcelain
service is not divuloed. but it is said
it will be about $4,000 for the 800 or
more pieces.
in the White House she found that the
china for state occasions and large re-
ceptions had been in use since 1880, hav-
ing been selected by Mrs. Hayes. The
first social function given by President
Roosevelt showed that the service was
very handsome and cost $4,000, but
time and servants have left their marks
upon it. 1t was designed by Theodore
r. Davis and decorated exclusively at
ter American fauna and flora. 1t was
manufactured by Haviland & Co.. of
France. The designs were made in wa
ter color and, although in nearly every
instance they were bold and striking,
they were difficult to reproduce upon
porcelain with hard mineral colors. To
accomplish this it was necessary to in
vent new methods and have recourse to
peculiar mechanical appliances.
Mrs. Roosevelt sent nearly a year age
for Charles NJ. Ivan Heusen, of Albany
and commissioned him to visit the noted
factories with the idea of submitting s
collection of china and glass for her
inspection. President Roosevelt was
very much interested in the matter and
took part in the discussion relative tt
what should be selected. It was decided
| that the great seal of the United States
which is SO rarely seen now that few
are acquainted with it, should bs
enameled on the service Then the hunt
for samples commenced.
After several months of searching Mr.
Van Heusen submitted to President and
Mrs. Roosevelt IS different and exclu
sive designs. They ranged in price from
SIS, 600 to $4,000 Noted decorators o.
china had been at work for months and
possibly never before has there beer
such beautiful collection of origina
designs in ceramic art presented to th'
consideration of any one with similar
idea in view. 1t seems as il any tast.
could be gratified. Deep, rich reds
beautiful blues and yellows rose dl
barries and the different shades o
| green of the very simplest treatment,
that can be imagined were submitted
1t was hard matter to arrive at
selection, but Mrs. Roosevelt was de
termined that the design should be sim
PIE and not at all gaudy. Assisted b,
1ASi buSDdiiu, uFS. ItOOSeVeiI unallY Sc
iected for the White House service {
simple Colonial pattern in gold. will
the diverse of the great seal of thu
United States enameled in color as tn
decorative feature. 1t was made b,
Wedgwood. This design will be exclus
lively for the White House and copy
righted
1t is the first time that the "grea
scar has been used for such pur
pose That there should be no flaw il
the service, Mrs. Roosevelt declared tn
manufacturers should take all the tim
they needed to have perfect set. ]
Is expected the service will be ready TO
use at one of the January functions il
the White House.
The White House service will consis
of fifteen dozen dinner plates. ten doze
breakfast plates, ten dozen tea plates
nve dozen bread and butter plates, te
dozen soup plates, eight dozen after
dinner coffees and cups and saucers
ten dozen teacups and saucers. te