From now until Flag Day in June (you knew it was Tuesday, June 14th...right?) we'd like to hear from you by asking you to send in images of your favorite American flags. Be sure to give us the details of where it is, why you like it, what it represents to you etc. We'll publish as many as we can here.

All across America, there's so many great venues that fly the stars & stripes that it would be fun to have folks submit photos of their favorite American flag. It can be modest or something spectacular.....doesn't matter.  We'll proudly display them here.  A file upload slot has been added to our Contact Us page and you can send us your JPEG or PDF pictures. Then, possibly as we approach Flag Day in June, we can select several categories and honor the best entries.

Woodmere China is all about honoring America's heritage and there could be nothing more American than our flag. Previously, we had written how founding father Francis Hopkinson had a hand in designing the stars and stripes. In these days and times, I couldn't think of a better idea than to find ways to honor our flag.

Hopefully, you give some thought and send us an image of your favorites. Be sure an tell us where they are located so we can get all the details correct.

Now....we'll have to come up with a prize or two for the winners, I suppose. Any suggestions?

James and Elizabeth Monroe, before he became the President, had been used to the very best of household furnishings and at that time, this meant it had to be French. So, when it came time to order china, there could be little doubt about where its origins should be. That is why the Monroes ordered a service from the prestigious firm of Dagoty that had an amaranth colored border and five vignettes representing Strength, Agriculture, Commerce, Art, and Science, along with the Arms of The United States in the center. This eagle in flight motif was also used in the Jackson and Lyndon Johnson services, as well. The original Monroe service order was for thirty people and contained other plates and pieces, for a total of 166 pieces. The French firm of Russell and Lafarge was used in the purchase and correspondence later on indicated they had trouble getting paid for the work.  Eventually, President Monroe himself approved the payment and was likely involved in the original design also. The beauty of this design was consistent with the grand style of entertaining that the Monroes had become used to and known for.

The amaranth color used in the border of this design was typical of the new experiments in the use of high temperature colors in the early 1800’s. That is why there are variations in the amaranth color on the original service pieces. Continual experimentation led the Dagoty firm to use a buff color in the vignettes, with the pictures done in a sepia enamel to imitate engraving. Head of the Dagoty factory, M. Edouard Honore, prided himself on producing high quality goods at the most economical prices so his experimentation was done with an eye towards savings. Indeed, when the original order was quoted and assigned to the Dagoty firm, Russell and Lafarge made mention of the fact that the order had been put out to bid and others, including the firm of Nast & Co. “would not make it for less than 50% more”.

While the Monroes used a variety of services, this particular Dagoty service was considered the “state china” as it had the patriotic motif and was paid for from government funds. Interesting to note is that this service is really the first china service to be designed and decorated specifically for the table of the President of The United States. Providing identity to our new nation was important in the creation of this china service and many other household articles of the day.

Private collectors are largely responsible for maintaining the pieces of this amaranth service as after the Monroes left the Executive Mansion much of this service disappeared over the years.

You can find all the items in the President James Monroe china from Woodmere by going to www.WoodmereChina.com

Page 2 - Woodmere's Re-Authentication Effort Remains Strong;
Woodmere's White House Collection Goes Green with Fillmore China
Page 3 - Decorated China: Easy As 1-2-3; President James Garfield, American Maxims
Page 4 - Flowers of The First Ladies - Just in Time for Spring!
Page 5 - Custom China Solutions; Lincoln 2nd Term China, Chef Roland Mesnier
Page 6-  Great Seal and Great Meaning, Important Dates
Page 7 - Contact Us
Page 8 - An American Source Blog