Plate, Used by General U.S. Grant, 1869-1870

Ever since the White House became the President's official home, dinnerware for state occasions was purchased in great quantities. Usually, the china was the choice of the President or his wife. The next administration sometimes added to the set or in many cases, disposed of the remnants and ordered new. Plates from the service used by President Ulysses Grant contained illustrations of different American flowers.