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You look good. Very good. Crisp, white shirt with cobalt blue studs and cobalt blue, official presidential George W. Bush cuff links to match. Black tie and tux. Wonderful overcoat and cashmere scarf. Your new shoes shined to perfection. Limousine waiting. Your date is matching perfection. Ready to attend the President’s State of the Union speech? Good. Tell me, though, are you wearing the real George W. Bush?
What, you ask? Your cuff links, of course. There is an 8 to 1 chance that your cuff links are a knockoff. If you so much as attempt to show them off with your State of the Union buddies, they will know. You don’t need that, so let me show you how I know your cuff links aren’t authentic – just so you know.
First of all, look at the box they came in. Official presidential cuff links are not packaged in a plush, dark blue leatherette case with gold trim and a gold, silkscreen, presidential coat-of-arms inside. Second, the outer, dark blue, cardboard box with the same gold, silkscreen coat-of-arms isn’t authentic either. Your cuff links, my friend, were probably reproduced by an offshore, commercial company and sold to outlet stores, on online auctions, and directly to collectors as authentic — but are really what we euphemistically label as ‘commemoratives.’ Or reproductions. Or fakes.
The cobalt blue, presidential cuff link was introduced by Richard Nixon in the 1970s. They are very stylish with the dark blue background and raised, bas relief presidential eagle in gold, surrounded by 50 inlaid gold stars and gold roping around the edge (the early ones from Nixon to Reagan didn’t have this roping). These early ones are extremely rare. Presidents gave sets of these special cuff links only to the most deserving of individuals. Still do. There are other styles of cuff links that are given out more often, but not these.
Because of their rarity and beauty, these cobalt blue, presidential cuff links proved more popular. Everyone had to have them. So I can see why you would want them. And so, beginning in Bill Clinton’s second term or so, we’ve noticed that this most rare of presidential gifts was becoming rather plentiful. They were being offered everywhere all of a sudden at very high prices. How come? They were being manufactured and made available outside official channels.
So, what do the real ones look like, you ask? Quite the same, I’m afraid. I said they look alike, but you can tell the difference easily. First of all, the authentic cuff link itself is heavier and thicker than the ‘commemorative’ ones. On the reverse side, the signatures of George W. Bush are supposed to be engraved horizontally, not curved like yours are. The ‘G’ and the ‘W’ are not connected, they are separate. The correct, engraved signature connects the ‘G’ and the ‘W’.
Therefore, you now have five ways to tell whether your cuff links are ‘commemorative’ rather than authentic.
- One, the inner box is not supposed to be a dark blue leatherette,
- Two, the outer box is not supposed to be a dark blue cardboard,
- Three, the cuff link is very light in weight and smaller,
- Four, the signature is curved instead of horizontal, and
- Five, the ‘G’ and the ‘W’ are separated.
Wait, I didn’t say how the real cuff links are packaged? You’re right. I didn’t. Just like the program ‘McGyver’, they always left out one important step so their on-screen escape sequences couldn’t be duplicated at home. I’m going to be like McGyver and not show you what kind of box the authentic cuff links come in so they won’t be duplicated and be confused with the authentic ones. Sorry.
Still, wear the ‘commemoratives.’ Nothing wrong with that. They look great on you. Just don’t show off, that’s all. Those with the real things will know.
But, if you are caught with that “knowing look,’ you might say that, yes, these cuff links are great, aren’t they? Well, they aren’t the real things, of course. No, I don’t want to wear my real ones outside in case they might be lost or damaged. Much like your date’s diamond necklace. Then, move fast.
NOTE: If you are paying less than $100 for a pair of presidential cobalt cuff links, they are fake. Authentic cobalt presidential cuff links are very rare and can cost upwards of $250 a pair. Also, any president before Richard Nixon did not produce cobalt cuff links. Lastly, sometimes the manufacturer ‘forgets’ to remove the small piece of metal between the eagle’s wings and the olive branch and between the eagle’s wing and the arrows of war, like the photo above found on Ebay. That is a sure sign that the cuff links are ‘commemorative.’
Tags: cufflinks, George W. Bush, identification, president, presidential memorabilia
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Your article is a bit confusing to me. I realize your article is about the younger one, but I have a question/comment about his father.
I was a hotel Security Director and the elder President Bush made several visits to our hotel. On one visit, The lead Secret Service agent gave me a set of President Bush cufflinks – not the cobalt blue but rather the ones with the color seal. Yes the blue box has his signature on the lid rather than a coat of arms, but the signature on the back is curved.
You suppose they purchased “knock offs” to hand out? Doesn’t seem likely but then again I am no expert.
Your thoughts please!
Thanks.
Todd Mixon
My buddy forwarded this Craiglist offering for Camp David Cufflinks.- the offer was removed but we have contacted him directly to make a offer, he still has the cufflinks= how do i know these are original??
Thanks in advance for the help to a “new” cufflink collector
Bob
AUTHENTIC PRESIDENTIAL CAMP DAVID CUFFLINKS – $110 (SOCAL)
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Date: 2010-01-09, 8:45PM PST
Reply to: sale-hbdbx-1545560066@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
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This is an original set of PRESIDENTIAL cufflinks. Presidential Retreat – Camp David. I picked these up at a high end Jeweler Collector in New York a number of years back during the Reagan Administration.
I am asking $110.00 for the set because they are not only collectible they are great to adorn. I received many compliments on them. They are not plastic and are original.
Location: SOCAL
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1545560066
This is an original set of PRESIDENTIAL cufflinks. Presidential Retreat – Camp David. I picked these up at a high end Jeweler Collector in New York a number of years back during the Reagan Administration.
I am asking $110.00 for the set because they are not only collectible they are great to adorn. I received many compliments on them. They are not plastic and are original.
• Location: SOCAL
• it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Original URL: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/clt/1545560066.html
Bob,
There have been at least two different designs for official Camp David items that collectors are aware of. The first showed the Camp David entrance sign, the second a version of the presidential coat-of-arms. We’re not sure when the changeover occurred, but probably during the Clinton Administration.
There has also been a commercially produced set sold in gift shops throughout Washington, D.C. and still are.
Without a photo of the cufflinks I couldn’t tell right now which set you have. The difference is between the gift shop version at $25.95 and a presidential set valued at about $125 to $175.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist
Todd, sorry that I’m just getting to your question. I wasn’t aware that you had written in until the second question appeared, so I’ll answer yours now.
It has been a tradition by presidents since about Ronald Reagan to issue several types of presidential cufflinks: the cobalt blues, die cast full seal ones (look like minted coins), and the ones you are talking about, the full color presidential seal silk screened version, all with engraved signatures on the reverse. The latter two were given out interchangeably, while the cobalts were given out to more special guests.
There is no reason to believe that your set is a commercial knockoff. The Secret Service does not, as a rule, give out unauthorized White House items as a thank you to all those who provide assistance to the president while on travel.
Today, that set has a retail value of between $125 and $175.
A very nice keepsake.
Tom Carrier
Worthologist