REVERE LANTERNS HANG IN JFK'S OVAL OFFICE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, February 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy received a pair of lanterns crafted by Colonial Williamsburg's master silversmith, William de Matteo*.
The lanterns are functional electric reproductions of the original tin lamps that hung in the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts on the night of Paul Revere's** famous midnight ride, April 18-19, 1775.
JFK had the lanterns hung on the wall of the Oval Office behind the famous Resolute desk.
*William De Matteo (1923-1988) Designer and maker of handwrought arts and crafts and fine antique reproduction sterling holloware. He studied under his father and became master silversmith at the Colonial Williamsburg Restoration.
**Paul Revere (1735-1818) was an American silversmith & engraver who became most famous for his midnight ride of April 1775 warning the countryside that British Regulars were moving out of Boston. After his death, his son, Joseph Warren Revere, assumed control of his father's business and in 1801 the Revere Copper Works was founded. Today, it is known as the Revere Copper Company.
SOURCES
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Boston.
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks and Maker's Marks, www.925-1000.com/
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, February 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy received a pair of lanterns crafted by Colonial Williamsburg's master silversmith, William de Matteo*.
The lanterns are functional electric reproductions of the original tin lamps that hung in the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts on the night of Paul Revere's** famous midnight ride, April 18-19, 1775.
JFK had the lanterns hung on the wall of the Oval Office behind the famous Resolute desk.
JFK and Caroline in Oval Office
Lantern visible on the wall
Colonial Williamsburg Lantern
**Paul Revere (1735-1818) was an American silversmith & engraver who became most famous for his midnight ride of April 1775 warning the countryside that British Regulars were moving out of Boston. After his death, his son, Joseph Warren Revere, assumed control of his father's business and in 1801 the Revere Copper Works was founded. Today, it is known as the Revere Copper Company.
SOURCES
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Boston.
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks and Maker's Marks, www.925-1000.com/
Old North Church
Boston, Massachusetts
Photo by Jennifer White (2014)
