60 Million Year Old Dominican Amber Speciman
Artifact ID1982.01094.01
Object Type
Amber
Gifter
Salvador Jorge Blanco
Maker
Natural History Specimen
Date
60 ma.
Medium
Amber, Wood, Metal
DimensionsOverall: 7 x 6 x 3 1/2 in. (17.8 x 15.2 x 8.9 cm)
Physical DescriptionA large round-oval piece of fossilized amber containing plant material. It is mounted on a beveled wooden base with a plaque on the front labeled "AMBER, 60,000,000 YEARS OLD SANTO DOMINGO".Historical NoteThis amber speciman from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic is 60 million years old. There are preserved plant remains inside. Dominican amber is known for its clarity and often has fossil inclusions, remains of its prehistoric tropical forest. Most Dominican amber is fosillized resin from sap from the extinct tree Hymenaea protera. It was presented during a meeting and photo op in the Oval Office July 15, 1982 with then President-Elect Salvador Jorge Blanco and Asela Mera de Jorge of the Dominican Republic.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Foreign Officials (National Archives Identifier 6816364)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
Country/Culture
In Collection(s)
Exhibition HistoryThe White House Gallery, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (1991-2003, 2011- )