Acropolis Books, 1967. Hardcover. Very Good. Signed first printing.

Staff writer for the Washington Post from 1954 to 1970, covering the White House through four administrations, Marie Smith had ample exposure and interest to write a thorough and nuanced social history of the presidential mansion.

Entertaining in the White House (1968) is a detailed account of the changing tides in social behavior from one administration to the next, both within the context of each President’s and First Lady’s individual personalities and within the context of global events at large.

From the intricacies of state dinners to seemingly innocuous quirks like Mrs. Eisenhower’s penchant for shaking hands “with her right glove off,” causing a kerfuffle over whether guests should also remove their gloves, Smith’s attention to detail and knack for storytelling is engaging. Some recipes are also included but mostly as supporting details to the narrative. We’re pleased to have a copy to offer.

Some very practical soul has helpfully penciled “First Edition & autographed” to the front jacket, and indeed it is. A previous owner’s name label to the front free endpaper above the signature. The interior is largely clean and unmarked, and the case shows minor wear. The dust jacket, while present, is price clipped and missing a fair amount of paper from the front. It is now in a mylar sleeve to protect from further damage.