Scanning Around With Gene: How to Look Presidential

James Fritz

Regardless of your political leanings, you have to admit this will be a very interesting year in the history of the United States and its electoral process. Yes, the image of our president may continue to be that of a mature white man, but the odds seem pretty good that we may have to re-think that tradition just a bit.
There’s a lot of talk about the first impressions candidates make and whether they appear “presidential” enough. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but it certainly has something to do with wearing dark suits and red ties and having a good hairstyle.
For a little insight into presidential impressions, I dug up a set of presidential engravings I acquired recently at a garage sale, courtesy of the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington D.C. (printed in 1970). The Bureau still sells these Intaglio-printed engravings (along with many other wonderful items) on its web site, https://www.moneyfactory.gov. In addition to the presidential portraits, this collection also included very nice 6″ x 9″ engravings of famous Washington landmarks, including these two of the Bureau and of the rear portico of the White House.


The primary mission of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is to print United States currency and other “security” documents, such as Passports, military ID cards, and postage stamps. I’ve written about the BEP before, so if you’re interested in the printing and design of money, see “The Color of Money.” BEP was established in 1861. This photo shows some early efforts at the Bureau, circa 1904.

The long-handled printing press in these photos is affectionately known as a “spider” press. It uses great pressure (up to 4 tons) to press a metal plate against the paper. This intaglio printing process uses recessed etched images on metal. Ink is wiped on to the plate where it fills the recessed image, then the excess ink is wiped off so ink remains only in the image wells. Then the plate is squeezed against the paper and the image is transferred. This is why engravings have a letterpress quality to them, only in reverse: The image is raised and the surrounding paper is depressed.

In addition to printing currency and security documents, the BEP produces various “souvenir” material for the citizenry, including reproductions of historical American documents, note cards, and portraits of presidents. Here is a six-color intaglio print of the Great Seal of the United States (suitable for framing).

But when it comes to presidents, I think it’s pretty clear that the engraving process makes just about anyone look “presidential.” You can argue the merits of Richard Nixon, for example, but there is no question he was not the world’s most attractive man. Yet here in his presidential engraving, he looks great, and no one would question his visual qualifications for office. Same with many other past presidents. If they look like they could be (or are) on money, then they certainly qualify as “presidential.”


So one suggestion I have, especially for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (who seem to have their “presidential-ness” most in question), is to track down one of the few remaining engravers and commission a head portrait. I doubt if the Bureau of Engraving and Printing would help either of them in this search until they’re elected, but there must be a few retired engravers who know how to make someone look like he or she belongs on a 50-dollar bill.


Then it’s just a matter of printing up some nice Intaglio proofs on fine Crane paper and handing them out at rallies and press events. Perhaps even Elliot Spitzer would have fared better if, instead of simply meeting at the Mayflower Hotel, he had invited that women up to his room on the premise of “viewing his etchings.” Hey, it’s worked in the past.