The Haunted White House Collection #2A
U.S. Trademark Protected Series!
Halloween 2024
President Abraham Lincoln
The White House Ghost!
Original Giannini Art
Includes Artist's Hand Signed
Certificate of Authenticity with History of Lincoln's Ghost!
Handmade at The White House Gift Shop!
In celebration of Halloween 2024, the White House Gift Shop presents the latest addition to its Haunted White House Collection: a tribute to one of America’s most enduring legends—the ghost of President Abraham Lincoln.
This year’s release, The President Abraham Lincoln - The White House Ghost Coffee Mug, is the second piece in the collection and continues the blend of fine art, history, and eerie folklore that defines this unique series.
The collection is the brainchild of Anthony Giannini, a master artist, series creator, and the CEO of the White House Gift Shop. Giannini’s creative process spans both traditional artistry and cutting-edge digital techniques, making each piece not just a collectible, but an experience steeped in history and mystery.
Lincoln’s Ghost:
A Haunting Legacy in the White House
In the annals of American history, few figures loom as large as Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln’s legacy extends beyond his leadership during the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved people; his presence, it seems, continues to haunt the White House to this day. Over the years, numerous presidents, first ladies, dignitaries, and even foreign royals have reported ghostly encounters with Lincoln. Giannini’s 2024 artwork draws from these real-life accounts.
His Lincoln stands, larger-than-life, on the South Lawn of the White House, holding a glowing pumpkin in a playful nod to Halloween traditions. Yet the image is far from frightening. Lincoln’s ghost is depicted as smiling, approachable, and even comforting to the children trick-or-treating around him. Eerie bats, shadowy trees, and other classic Halloween imagery frame the scene, but Lincoln remains central—a ghost, perhaps, but one with warmth and humanity.
Anthony Giannini: The Artist Behind the Art
Born into a family passionate about art, science, and history, Anthony Giannini is more than just the CEO of the White House Gift Shop; he is a creator of worlds, bringing history to life through a fusion of art, storytelling, and technology. Giannini’s background is a compelling blend of classical fine arts education and contemporary digital innovation. He holds multiple advanced university degrees, one of which is from Harvard, where he studied the Design of Interactive Computer Technologies and intersection of art, science, innovation, and technology. He has crafted a career that reflects his unique vision—one that respects tradition while embracing the future.
Giannini’s creative process is rooted in his ability to merge multiple disciplines. His work on the Haunted White House Collection, for example, involves sketching and painting alongside digital art, incorporating coding elements into his final designs. This innovative approach allows Giannini to create pieces that resonate on multiple levels—historical, artistic, and conceptual. For the 2024 release of the Lincoln Ghost Mug, Giannini even authored a book of alternating short stories and nonfiction articles that pushes the boundaries of modern science while connecting his themes and articles to White House and presidential history!
Historical Encounters with Lincoln’s Ghost
Grace Coolidge, the wife of President Calvin Coolidge, was one of the first to claim she saw Lincoln’s ghost, describing him standing silently at a window, gazing over the Potomac River. She wasn’t the last.
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands famously fainted in 1942 after opening her White House bedroom door to find Lincoln’s spectral figure standing before her.
Even Winston Churchill, who was known for his composure, reported an encounter with Lincoln. Fresh from a bath, Churchill claimed he saw Lincoln’s ghost standing in his room. Without missing a beat, Churchill greeted him with a dry remark: "Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage."
These encounters, along with countless others, have given rise to the legend of Lincoln’s restless spirit. Many believe that the weight of the Civil War and the assassination that cut short his presidency may explain why Lincoln has never fully left the White House.
In this year’s art, Giannini taps into this eerie yet enduring legacy, capturing the spectral yet comforting presence of Lincoln in a scene that is at once playful and profound.
The Eerie Premonition
Lincoln’s haunting of the White House takes on an even more chilling dimension when one considers his own premonition of death. After his election in 1860, Lincoln reported seeing a double image of his face in a mirror—one vibrant and full of life, the other ghostly pale. His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, interpreted the vision as an omen that Lincoln would not survive his second term. And so it was: Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, just days after the end of the Civil War. His tragic death only deepened the sense of mystery and melancholy that has since surrounded his ghostly presence in the White House.
The Haunted White House Collection: A Vision of History
The Haunted White House Collection, created by Anthony Giannini, is more than a series of collectibles; it’s an invitation to explore the hidden histories and lingering spirits of America’s most famous residence. Each piece in the collection features Giannini’s distinct artistic style—rooted in classical techniques starting with a sketch then painting but enhanced by modern digital art methods, in this case, Giannini fused several art elements into his illustrations by personally authoring digital art creations in Python code, resulting in truly unique fusion of art, history, and imagination.
President Abraham Lincoln - The White House Ghost Coffee Mug
This year’s offering is an 11 oz ceramic coffee mug, carefully crafted in the USA. Giannini’s full-color illustration is molecularly sealed into the surface of the mug, ensuring it remains vibrant and permanent through years of use. The design is both dishwasher-safe and durable, making it not just a beautiful collector’s item but also a practical one.
• Premium Ceramic Mug: Crafted with care and precision by artisans at the White House Gift Shop.
• Dishwasher-Safe: Ensuring your collectible remains vibrant and useful for years.
• Unique Art: Featuring a playful yet haunting illustration of President Lincoln’s ghost on the White House South Lawn, holding a glowing pumpkin.
• Exclusive Story: Includes the legend of Lincoln’s ghost as recounted by Anthony Giannini, blending historical fact with creative storytelling.
This mug is perfect for collectors, history buffs, and anyone who enjoys a touch of the supernatural with their morning coffee. It’s not just an art piece—it’s a story, a piece of history, and a tribute to one of America’s most beloved presidents.
A Timeless Collectible
In keeping with the Halloween spirit and America’s love for its historical icons, the President Abraham Lincoln - The White House Ghost Coffee Mug is an essential addition to any collection. With Giannini’s artistic innovation, blend of storytelling, digital art, and historical depth, this piece doesn’t just commemorate Lincoln; it invites you to join in the tradition of honoring his memory in the most creative way possible.
Order yours today from the White House Gift Shop and enjoy a piece of American history every time you sip your favorite beverage. As you hold this beautifully crafted mug, perhaps you too will feel a spectral presence—Lincoln himself, still watching over the nation he once saved.
