Lot 353
(Lincoln Bedroom Chamber Pot). Although not used by Lincoln (as it was added to the White House after his death), this chamber pot would still have some interesting tales to tell if it could speak. Made in Trenton, NJ by the Maddox Lamberton Works sometime around the turn of the 19th century, it was resident to the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House until 1952 when Bess Truman passed it to Lillian Rogers Parks, author of the famous bestseller, "My Thirty Years Back Stairs At The White House." Lillian's mother, Maggie Rogers was first maid of the White Houe from 1909 to 1930. Lillian served at the White House as a seamstress and maid from 1929 to 1960. In 1979, NBC turned her best selling book into a major television mini series that was nominated for 11 Emmys. The movie was released in 2005 as a four-part DVD production.
This attractive chamber pot is white porcelain, decorated with a stencil design and hand-painted purple flowers (possibly irises), and has gilt borders, which are worn. It stands 8½" high with the lid, which is 9¾" in diameter. A chip in the lid is mentioned in the letter of provenance. According to an accompanying letter of provenance signed by Mrs. Parks, First Lady Bess Truman offered her the chamber pot during the first walk-through of the newly remodeled White House. The remodeling itself could have been the impetus for the gift since Mrs. Truman was intent on restoring the Lincoln bedroom to period furnishings, which would not have included the chamber pot.
Whatever the reason for the gift, Mrs. Parks cherished the chamber pot, along with many other gifts that she received from the Presidents and First Ladies for whom she worked. An additional letter of provenance from Raleigh DeGeer Amyx, to whom Mrs. Parks presented the chamber pot in 1982, accompanies the piece. A unique and interesting collectible with impeccable provenance.
Estimated Value $7,500 - 10,000.
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