re: #608 SummerSong

Mr Brown’s gifts to President Obama included an ornamental desk pen holder made from the oak timbers of Victorian anti-slaver HMS Gannet, once named HMS President.

Another treasure given to the U.S. President was the framed commission for HMS Resolute, a vessel that came to symbolise Anglo-US peace when it was saved from ice packs by Americans and given to Queen Victoria.

Finally, Mr Brown gave a first edition set of the seven-volume classic biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.

In return, President Obama gave Prime Minister Brown 25 DVDs of American classic movies.

The First Lady gave to Mrs. Brown for her two sons: Two Marine One toy helicopters, which apparently can be found at the White House gift shop for $15 each.

Gawd, they are an embarrassment!