The White House went shopping at the Camelot auction this week but found itself nearly shut out by stupendously high prices.
Backed by donated money, not tax dollars, White House bidders had their eyes on particular items associated with President Kennedy, his widow and the history of the White House itself.By Friday afternoon, the White House collection was richer by just one item, an original drawing of an 1860 reception in the Blue Room, near the end of the administration of President James Buchanan.
The price tag: $14,000.
That was a bargain compared with the items that got away at the auction of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' personal possessions.
A White House representative bid on the antique desk on which President Kennedy signed the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
It fetched $1.43 million, far above White House resources.
White House curator Rex Scouten was also interested in a drawing of the president by artist Elaine DeKooning. It was knocked down for $63,000, also too pricey.
Other items coveted by the keepers of the White House collection also brought sticker shock.
But curators were pleased with their acquisition of the 1860 drawing.
Entitled, "Miss Lane's Reception," it depicts presidential guests gathered in the Blue Room.
Harriet Lane was Buchanan's niece. She served as the bachelor president's White House hostess.
The drawing shows details of the Blue Room and furniture purchased for it in 1860.
"The drawing has never been published, and we had not known about it prior to the sale," wrote associate White House curator Betty C. Monkman in a memo to first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. "We are very pleased to have it for the White House collection."