Aboard Marine One Cocktail Shaker

In a most surprising discovery, a cocktail shaker was found recently on ebay from Marine One, the presidential helicopter, from the Richard Nixon presidency of the 1970s.

Since beginning as a collector in 1982 specializing more and more in White House and presidential items, I have acquired and sold many Air Force One, Marine One and Army One items since and have never come across a cocktail shaker, or any other bar-related item other than drink glassware, specifically made for official use. No other longtime collector or dealer I talked with, especially Nixon collectors, has seen one before either. That rarity alone makes this presidential item rather unique in and of itself.

The cocktail shaker measures approx. 7.5" (19.05 cm) high and 2 3/4" (7 cm) in diameter. It has a smooth, rounded spout and configuration similar in design to a generic off-the-shelf commercial version of the period although this version is finished in 23 kt gold and custom designed by Libby Williams of California and dated 1971 by its original gold sticker still in place. There is no manufacturer stamp on the bottom.

And, if you haven't already noticed by its wear (you can barely see the Richard Nixon signature), it seems to have been used rather frequently during President Nixon's five and a half years or so in the White House. Nixon himself, a confirmed Quaker, drank alcohol very rarely so we're guessing it was mostly White House staff that used it the most, especially toward the end.

Since the few collectors I've chatted with weren't aware of an official presidential cocktail shaker for Marine One or any other official bar item other than drinking glassware for official travel or White House use, perhaps some comments can be added to help explore their history more.