Evoking distinguished gatherings of royalty, diplomats, politicians, and celebrities at the nation's First Table, Official White House China documents more than 200 years of porcelains purchased for presidential entertaining. From George Washington's personally selected French and Chinese porcelains to the gold-encrusted American china used for state dinners throughout the years, this book reveals trends in taste and culture that reflect both personal and national aspirations. This Second Edition has added essays by White House curators that enrich the original text and offer new information on porcelain acquired for the White House since 1975.