Read My Pins_ Stories From a Diplomat's Jewel Box - Madeleine Albright [0]
Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box
Madeleine Albright
with
Elaine Shocas, Vivienne Becker, and Bill Woodward
Photography by John Bigelow Taylor
Photography Composition by Dianne Dubler
The United States Capitol, Monet.
See a pin, pick it up,
And all day you’ll have good luck.
See a pin, let it lay,
And your luck will pass away.
—Nursery Rhyme
Table of Contents
Epigraph
Introduction by David Revere McFadden
Chief Curator, Museum of Arts and Design, New York
I. The Serpent’s Tale
II. Wings
III. Body Language
IV. “It Would Be an Honor”
Pindex
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Credits
Copyright
About the Publisher
Victory Knot, Verdura.
The Great Seal of the United States book locket and pin, Ann Hand.
Asymmetrical gold heart, Erwin Pearl
red heart and bow, Ann Hand
bejeweled heart, designer unknown
sparkling red heart, Ann Hand
interlocking hearts, Swarovski
purple heart, D.M. Lee
hammered metal heart, Omega
rhinestone bombé heart, designer unknown.
With deep appreciation to St. John Knits for its support of the book and to Bren Simon for her support of the exhibition.
This book is published in conjunction with the exhibition “Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection” organized by the Museum of Arts and Design, New York. After being shown at the Museum, the exhibition will tour to selected venues in the United States and around the world.
Gold ginkgo leaf, designer unknown
silver ginkgo leaf, designer unknown
copper ginkgo leaf, Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School
gold-stemmed ginkgo leaf, Fabrice.
INTRODUCTION
In Six Memos for the Next Millennium, the great Italian short story–writer Italo Calvino recounts the legend of how the emperor Charlemagne was enchanted by a gold ring. Whoever or whatever possessed the ring held the power of bewitchment, from a deceased maiden to an archbishop and, ultimately, the lake into which the ring was cast. This small piece of jewelry took on magical powers, becoming “an outward and visible sign that reveals the connection between people or between events.” In addition to conveying information about the wearer—her or his status, finances, and affinities—jewelry has an impressive power to establish links among people, places, and events. Madeleine Albright’s pins are nothing if not eloquent and often provocative communicators.
Secretary Albright’s pins cannot be described as a collection in any traditional sense. Collectors usually set out with specific goals in mind as to what they intend to acquire and how they will secure the objects of desire, whether they be paintings, stamps, butterflies, or grandfather clocks. By contrast, Secretary Albright’s collection has grown organically over the years in response to the changing circumstances and opportunities of her life and career. This is a collection that has been amplified and enriched by the events that have engaged their owner, providing a visible record of past experiences and future hopes.
There is a delightful randomness and whimsy to the pins that make up this highly personal assemblage. Sought out in settings ranging from jewelry stores and art galleries to airport souvenir stands and the booths of craft fair vendors, they first spoke to Secretary Albright, asking (sometimes demanding) to be included in her trove of wearable images. Their value as communication devices once recognized, they were then inducted into service as diplomatic aides; sometimes demure and understated, sometimes outlandish and outspoken, they became gentle implements of statecraft.
Alert Lady, Brit Svenni/Berit Kowalski. According to the designers, “One eye is extra watchful as Madeleine Albright is always alert to the world’s problems.”
The pins reveal a rich diversity of motifs and images. Angels, stars, balloons, American flags, and spaceships are juxtaposed with a menagerie of birds, bees, beetles, butterflies, fish, frogs, turtles, and snakes. A variety of garden flowers, sentimental hearts and bows,