I have no idea, Eva, but my "too obvious answer to be right" guess is Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt wore a ring containing a lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair when he was inaugurated in 1905.

It's a very logical guess and explaination, Roger, but not correct, I'm afraid.

Hint #1: TR said this personally to the person in 1906.

Hint #2: He said it to this artist after seeing him in a performance.

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Hint #3: TR's words are misleading as the person was not an American.
Hint #4: This is the celebrity:
   

Enrico Caruso
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1QJwHWvgP8

Kudos, Gene, and thanks for the wonderful "O Sole Mio"!

After watching Caruso starring in Leoncavalli's "Lucia di Lammermoore" on March 24, 1906, TR surprised the singer with his appreciations and a three-foot-high framed, personalized photo signed "To Enrico Caruso from TR". Caruso was so speechless that TR tried to put him at ease with the words above.

The photo came in quite handy soon. During his San Francisco engagement and in the morning and aftermath of the April 18 earthquake Caruso stumbled disoriented through the city with only a fur coat over his pyjama, his valise in one hand and and the silver-framed picture in the other, brabbeling a mixture of Italian and English, so that a National Guardsman mistook him for a loiter. The photo "ID" spared Caruso of being arrested.

I read this in Tom Bogar's "American Presidents Attend the Theatre: The Playgoing Experiences of Each Chief Executive" which I bought at the Surratt House. I find it a fascinating read, and even if you are not that much interested in theater, Tom's style and narrative skills just make it interesting and enjoyable (Anita, you'll love it!).
http://www.amazon.com/American-President...162&sr=1-2

Until it was stolen, my family had a ca. 1910 phonograph with the old rolls of music - many of them were of the great opera stars of the era such as Caruso and Madame Schumanheink (hope I spelled that correctly). Great voices - even though I did not think so as a child...

This is the inaugural ball gown worn by a First Lady. What was her name?

Hint #1:

Here is the First Lady wearing the gown:

It's a gorgeous gown. I'll guess Mrs. Harding.

I don't think leaving her head on would have given it away!

Helen Taft ?

I don't know who is wearing it but I agree with Laurie, it's gorgeous. It looks like a wedding gown!

Brilliant, Anita! It is indeed Helen Taft.

You win Inaugural tickets for 2017.


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Hi Roger,

A few posts up you mentioned the ring that Teddy Roosevelt had that contained strands of Lincoln's hair. I believe that the ring originally belonged to John Hay, who gave it to TR.

Do you know what ever became of the ring? Is it still in existence?

Hi Toia,

Here is what I have regarding the ring:

"Hay the giver and Roosevelt the given are, as the saying goes, no more; but the hair, in its surrounding of splendor, is understood to survive at Sagamore Hill."

SOURCE: p. 28 of "Largely Lincoln" by David Chambers Mearns.