Four dining place cards from the visit of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev with President Eisenhower at Camp David on September 25-27, 1959. Made of heavy-duty card stock with gold-flaked angular edges and an embossed golden Seal of the United States, these 2.25 x 4'' place cards were present for the official dinner served for the two premier leaders along with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and U.S. Secretary of State Christian Herter. Beneath the embossed seal in black printed ink are the words "His Excellency" then the corresponding names of the guests, "Nikita S. Khrushchev," two "Andrei A. Gromyko," cards and "The Ambassador of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."

Khrushchev's U.S. visit resulted in an informal agreement with President Eisenhower that there would be no firm deadline over Berlin, but that there would be a four-power summit to try to resolve the issue. Having left the U.S. in high spirits, Khrushchev returned to the U.S.S.R convinced that he had achieved a strong personal relationship with Eisenhower (who in fact was unimpressed by the Soviet leader) and that he could achieve d_tente with the Americans. At the end of their two-day visit, Eisenhower and Khrushchev released a joint statement saying their discussions were useful and contributed to a better understanding between the two countries. In the months following his visit, Khrushchev would occasionally refer to the "Spirit of Camp David". When Eisenhower was asked about what that meant, he replied: "I must say I have never used it" and that it "must mean simply that it looks like we can talk together without being mutually abusive."

These items come directly from the Hirschy family. Lieutenant Hirschy was Supply and Logistics Officer for the Military Aides to the President and Officer-in-Charge of the Navy Mess in the White House during both the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. His duties also included taking care of the President’s needs on overseas trips, aboard the presidential yachts and at Camp David. Lt. Hirschy served in the White House from May 1, 1961 through May 31, 1965.

Fair condition. Slight age marks.