123. Kennedy, John F. Cobalt-blue dinner plate specially produced for the dinner of the Inter-American Press Association [IAPA] in honor of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, held at the Hotel Americana in Miami Beach on 18 November 1963.

Cobalt-blue Presidential dinner plate designed for and used at the Inter-American Press Association dinner in honor of President John F. Kennedy held just four days before he was assassinated.

Plate measures 10.5 in. (267 mm.) diameter with gilt edging and gilt ornamentation of the presidential seal as well as the coats of arms of the IAPA’s 14 member states. A manufacturer’s imprint on the cream underside reads, “Syracuse - China - 93 G U.S.A.” Plate originated from the Hotel Americana’s Catering Sales and Service Manager Louis Ronco, to whom an entire Miami Herald feature article (a copy of which is included here) was dedicated the very next day, tracing Ronco’s legacy of presidential dinners dating back to the FDR administration. Additional photocopied provenance comes in the form of three letters to Ronco that attest to his services that night; copies of the program and menu from the event; and photocopied pictures of Kennedy in his motorcade, in his hotel suite and at his head table, including an image of the Grand Ballroom with a plate shown at each setting. In fine condition. $3,000 - $5,000