[Presidential] Eisenhower, Dwight D. Signed Illuminated Prayer Leaf

No place, no date (but after 1952). Illuminated prayer leaf on vellum, titled "The President's Prayer", signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Illuminated in gold, red, blue, and green by Miriam Koller Williams, signed at bottom left. Inscription on verso, "Our Christmas Gift To Your Lovely Church. Dr. & Mrs. H. Gilbert Williams Haddonfield, N.J." Vellum lightly soiled; some paint chipping to sections of illumination. 13 1/2 x 10 3/4 in. (343 x 273 mm).

A finely decorated prayer leaf signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower with the text of his Presidential Prayer, given during his first inaugural address, on January 20, 1953.

A deeply religious figure, Eisenhower placed faith at the center of his presidency, and during his two terms in office helped shape a national religious revival that saw the rise of modern Evangelical Christianity. Although raised a Mennonite, Eisenhower was baptized into the National Presbyterian Church, of which his wife Mamie belonged, only ten days into his presidency. The religious tone of his leadership would have lasting effects on American politics, and he is remembered for the implementation of several religious features in his governance, including the opening of cabinet meetings with prayer, initiating the National Prayer Breakfast, tapping evangelist Billy Graham as a spiritual advisor, and supporting and signing into law both the inclusion of “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance, in June 1954, and the adoption of “In God We Trust” as the national motto, in 1956.

Lot also includes another illuminated leaf by the same artist, featuring a verse from the first letter of Timothy.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[Presidential] Eisenhower, Dwight D. Signed Illuminated Prayer Leaf