May 23, 1932 – Rome, Italy: lunch

International Conference of Transoceanic Pilots.
Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine
4 pages, color letterpress.

The cover of this simple, but effective menu is printed with the flags of all the States participating in the international conference of aviators.

[Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library – Historic Menu Collection. State of Italy – Kingdom of Italy - Government: Head of the Government].
COLLOC. A.1141.03 – INV. 2247.

November 8, 1932 – Rome, Italy, Hotel Excelsior: lunch

Official lunch in honor of Norman Davis.
Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine
1 page, letterpress, government logo embossed in gold.

This menu is from a lunch given for Norman Davis (1878–1944), an American diplomat. Davis was born in Bedford, Tennessee and was President Wilson’s assistant, under secretary of the State and delegate to the general conference on disarmament in Geneva in 1931. It is possible that Davis traveled to Italy after Geneva, by looking at the dates. From 1938 to 1944, Davis was the president of the International Red Cross. The menu reflects Italian gastronomic traditions. One concession was made for imported caviar, listed as “Perle del Volga,” or pearls of the Volga River.

[Biblioteca Gastronomica Academia Barilla - Collezione di menu storici - Stato Italiano – Regno d'Italia- Governo: Capo del Governo].
COLLOC. A.1141.05 – INV. 2223.

October 14, 1933 – Rome, Italy, Hotel Excelsior: lunch

Official lunch in honor of Sir Ronald Graham.
Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine
1 page, letterpress, government logo embossed in gold.

This menu comes from a lunch held in honor of Sir Ronald William Graham (1870–1949), an English diplomat, and British ambassador to Rome from 1921 to 1933. The menu highlights Italian recipes and wines.

[Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library – Historic Menu Collection. State of Italy – Kingdom of Italy - Government: Head of the Government].
COLLOC. A.1141.11 – INV. 2225.

June 24, 1935 – Rome, Italy, Hotel Excelsior: lunch

Official lunch in honor of Anthony Eden.
Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine
1 page, letterpress, blue lettering, government logo embossed in gold.

This menu is from a lunch given for Sir Robert Anthony Eden, Count of Avon (1897–1977), British politician and the under secretary of Foreign Affairs from 1931 to 1933. He was also Minister to the League of Nations from 1934 to 1938. When Churchill was in office, Eden was appointed Foreign Secretary and held the position from 1940 to 1945. The menu presents simple Italian dishes paired with Italian wines.

[Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library – Historic Menu Collection. State of Italy – Kingdom of Italy - Government: Head of the Government].
COLLOC. A.1141.19 – INV. 2215.

January 14, 1937 – Rome, Italy, Palazzo Venezia: lunch

Official lunch in honor of Herman Göring.
Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine
1 page, letterpress, government logo embossed in gold.

Hermann Wilhelm Göring (1893–1946) was a German politician, military officer and important German Nazi figure. The menu created in his honor includes noteworthy items, including regional Italian specialties and wines.

[Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library – Historic Menu Collection. State of Italy – Kingdom of Italy - Government: Head of the Government].
COLLOC. A.1141.21 – INV. 2218