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HMS Gannet Pen Holder
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
HMS Gannet Pen Holder
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

HMS Gannet Pen Holder

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.045407.2
Object Type Holder, Pen
Gifter
Artist/ Maker
Artist/ Maker
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Medium wood, metal, textile, adhesive
DimensionsOverall - 3D H 2 1/8 in x W 8 1/2 in x D 8 1/4 in (5.4 cm x 21.6 cm x 21 cm )
Physical DescriptionWooden pen holder made of wood from the HMS Gannet in the same dockyard that William Evenden made the Resolute Desk in 1879. It features a cut plank of worn wood from the HMS Gannet framed on three sides by glossy finished wood. The HMS Gannet wood contains many holes throughout its surface and both it and the framing wood have a smooth groove at the top for a pen to rest in. Below the groove is a gold-toned metal plaque that has been screwed into the wood from the HMS Gannet.
Historical NoteReceived on the occasion of a working visit to the White House by British Prime MInister Gordon Brown on March 3, 2009. President Barack Obama kept it on the Resolute desk throughout his presidency.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Barack Obama during the Obama administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts of State (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Barack Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62
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