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23845627
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White House China Book Presentation
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23845627
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White House China Book Presentation
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Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Shirley Sagawa's Files
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THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 12, 1999
MEMORANDUM
TO: MELANNE VERVEER
FROM; BETTY C. MONKMAN
Re: Request to present book to Hillary Rodham Clinton
Enclosed is a request to present a copy of the new book White
House China to Mrs. Clinton. This is a revised edition of a book
published by the Smithsonian in 1976 which has long been out of
print. The new edition has new photographs of all White House
services and a revised text.
The Barra Foundation subsidized the book. Its president, Robert
L. McNeil, Jr. is former member of the Committee for the
Preservation of the White House and has been a major donor to the
White House - the Bierstadt painting (Red Room), a pair of
chairs used by George Washington (China Room), three pieces of
sculpture (Oval Office and Roosevelt Room) and several pieces of
china. He also made a substantial gift to the first organization
which began fundraising for what became the White House Endowment
Fund.
The suggested date of May 20 for the presentation corresponds to
an opening exhibit on White House china at the Wilson House that
evening. May 19 or 21 are other possible dates.
If this can be scheduled, Mr. McNeil would like to include five
to six other people who have worked on the book or been
associated with it.
CC: Capricia Marshall
Patti Solis Doyle
START YOUNDA
H.I.
THE BARRA FOUNDATION, INC.
April 5, 1999
Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
It would give the editors and sponsor a great deal of pleasure to present a signed copy of
the new edition of Official White House China to you at the White House at a time and place of
your convenience, preferably on May 20, 1999.
The book, Official White House China, is a revised and updated edition of Margaret
Klapthor's original work of 1975, which has long been out of print. Major contributions to the
text have been made by Betty Monkman, Bill Allman and Susan Detweiler. Spectacular new
photographs of all of the services were taken at the White House by Will Brown.
The sponsor, The Barra Foundation, and the publisher, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., are proud
to have supported this important educational study documenting cultural aspects of our national
heritage. The White House Historical Association has enthusiastically endorsed this project with
a commitment to purchase a sizable quantity for distribution to White House visitors.
We trust that you will also be enthusiastic about the historical contribution Official White
House China will make and hope that we shall have the opportunity of presenting a signed copy
to you.
Sincerely yours,
McNeil,
President
RLMJr:ghf
8200 FLOURTOWN AVENUE, WYNDMOOR, PA. 19038-7976 TELEPHONE (215) 233-5115
FAX (215) 836-1033