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Lot Essay
President Dwight D. Eisenhower flew aboard two aircraft while in office (January 20, 1953-January 20, 1961), Columbine II and Columbine III, both named by the First Lady, Mamie Doud Eisenhower, after the state flower of Colorado. Both were four-engine, propeller-driven Lockheed Constellations. The Columbine II had been used by Eisenhower from 1951-52, as Commander of NATO in Europe. The Columbine II was the first presidential aircraft to use the Air Force One callsign. In 1954, a near miss between commercial flight Eastern Airlines 8610 and Air Force flight 8610 carrying President Eisenhower prompted the adoption of the Air Force One callsign whenever the President was on board any aircraft. Columbine III remained the official Presidential Aircraft throughout Eisenhower’s presidency, retiring on January 20, 1961, the day John F. Kennedy was sworn into office.
In its original fitted Tiffany case, which was easily transportable, the present flatware service was used while President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower on The Columbine throughout his presidency. Appropriately named 'Century' pattern, celebrating their 100th anniversary, Tiffany & Co., created a line of flatware and hollowware to commemorate the occasion - the 'Century' line pattern is notable for its use of flat surfaces highlighted by strong Art Deco design elements.
In its original fitted Tiffany case, which was easily transportable, the present flatware service was used while President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower on The Columbine throughout his presidency. Appropriately named 'Century' pattern, celebrating their 100th anniversary, Tiffany & Co., created a line of flatware and hollowware to commemorate the occasion - the 'Century' line pattern is notable for its use of flat surfaces highlighted by strong Art Deco design elements.