Emu Egg Presentation Cup Gifted to Eleanor Roosevelt, 1943

A sterling-silver mounted emu egg presentation covered cup on pedestal base, makers mark of William Edwards, Australian 19th century. with sewing and other fitments in velvet lined interior. Provenance: Descended from the family of Theodore Roosevelt. Acquired by the vendors at Sloans and Kenyon, Chevy Chase MD, USA 14 December 2018 lot 238. Gifted to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of then US president Franklin D.Roosevelt, at Rockhampton on September 9, 1943, on the occasion where she visited Australia to visit US troops stationed here. At 5pm on September 9 1943, Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of then US President Franklin D Roosevelt, arrived by plane on the seventh day of her tour of Australia. The main purpose of her visit to Rockhampton was to visit American troops stationed there and to convey the thanks of her nation. Mrs Roosevelt wearing the uniform of the American Red Cross attended various formalities and prior to her departure the then mayor of Rockhampton Major Henry Jeffries presented her with an emu egg with native birds and animals, 20 cm high, 29 cm wide