First ladies

Surrounded by photographers, President Harry S. Truman (center) stands at the podium and inspects a special cake baked in his honor at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club luncheon held at the Cocoanut Grove, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California, one of the stops on his West Coast trip. On his right, at the end of the table is Bess Truman. The others are unidentified. From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.

President Harry S. Truman gestures to the audience at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club luncheon held at Coconut Grove, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California. On the right is Bess Truman. The President is at the end of his Western presidential tour. From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.

Bess Truman, wearing a lei, sits between two unidentified men at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club luncheon held at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Both President Harry S. Truman and Margaret Truman are seated at other tables. From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.

President Harry S. Truman at the podium speaks at a luncheon given by the Greater Los Angeles (California) Press Club at the end of his presidential trip to the West Coast. Bess Truman is on the right; the others are unidentified. (See also 66-752.) From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.

Bess Truman (left) warmly greets an unidentified woman dressed in lace, including veil and gloves. The event, date, and location are unknown. From: Truman Home.

Bess Truman (left) raises her hand in greeting to someone off-camera. She is in New York City to meet her daughter, who is returning from Europe. The two ladies are unidentified. From: Truman Home.

Bess Truman and Greta Kempton (right) look at Ms. Kempton's painting of President Truman at the opening of Ms. Kempton's one-woman show at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. (See also 88-30, 78-533, and 87-160.) From: Truman Home.

At a fund-raising luncheon sponsored by the Combined Jewish Appeal of Greater Boston (Massachusetts), Bess Truman chats with two unidentified men sitting next to her at the table and several others standing behind her. (See 2009-1744 for Bess's arrival in Boston.) The photo is autographed: Thank you for a wonderful evening. The signature is illegible.) From: Truman Home.

Bess Truman and an unidentified officer stand beside a large sign welcoming Mrs. Truman and her party to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. (See also 2009-1760.) From: Truman Home.

Bess Truman (second from right), Margaret Truman (right), and two unidentified women on the rear platform of a train in Los Angeles, California, where President Harry S. Truman traveled on his rail trip to the West Coast. (Same as 80-305) From: Naval Photo Center, sent to the Truman Library by the National Archives. Original 4x5 negative.