Playing Cards

A set of playing cards with the presidential seal, "The Columbine" (the presidential plane), and initials "D.D.E."

The president was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing cards while aboard his presidential aircraft, "The Columbine."� A four engine, propeller-driven Lockheed Constellation, the Columbine was reportedly named by Mamie after the state flower of Colorado, her home state. The first Columbine was replaced with a newer model in 1954 that included technological improvements such as an airborne teletype machine and air-to-ground telephone. It was used for all domestic trips and served the president until the end of his second term.