The Eisenhower Birthday Plate has two editions, The ‘First Edition’ - A scarce Presidential souvenir, made by Castleton China, Inc., New Castle, PA, with a ‘KEYSTONE’ back stamp. This ‘KEYSTONE’ plate was given out to guests at the President’s Birthday Party . While the ‘Second Edition’ - A political commemorative, with the ‘SQUARE’ back stamp, is a common plate which was produced for sale to the general public in limited numbers. So, keep your eyes out for the Scarce ‘KEYSTONE’ back stamp  - it’s been listed a couple times over the years an even a few times with its original box.

Here is the scoop, THE PRESIDENT’S BIRTHDAY PARTY was held at HERSHEY, PA that’s right ‘The Chocolate Town’, 13 October 1953 (Picture A shows the set up for the party).

At that time, this was the largest birthday party thrown for anyone - 6,000 invitees. And on the inside back cover of the program for this gala (Picture B) handed out at the President’s Birthday Party it reads: THE EISENHOWER BIRTHDAY PLATE. The Eisenhower birthday plate was originally designed as a souvenir for those attending the President’s Birthday Party. The first plate is being presented to President and Mrs. Eisenhower at the party and one is being given to each guest.

This beautiful plate was first displayed in selected store windows in Pennsylvania before the Birthday Party. Its appearance was greeted by numerous queries as to where it could be purchased. After hurried conferences, the Republican Finance Committee of Pennsylvania decided to authorize a second limited edition of the plate for general sale with a new back stamp. (example 1)

A second edition of the plate is identical to the first, except that it has a different back stamp. The First Edition (Picture C) back stamp notes that the recipient actually was in attendance at the party. The Second Edition (example 1) commemorates the occasion of the birthday in more general terms. The Faces of two editions are identical.

So there you have it, an original plate from a Presidential event and its Second Edition, a fundraising tool used to defray to costs of the birthday party itself.

Notes:

1. The First Edition came with a program, mail-in card and the birthday plate that came in a box both with ‘KEYSTONE’ BACK STAMP (Picture D-missing mail-in card) Stamped in gold on this plate is the number 27, which could be an edition number or the guilder’s mark. (New information that the number on back could be the addition number and 6,001 is the run)

2. 1n 1955 the Eisenhower administration ordered state china with pure coin gold in an embossed gold medallion pattern from Castleton China, Inc., New Castle, PA and 1968 the Johnson administration ordered state china that was designed by Tiffany & Co., and made by Castleton China, Inc.