Jeff Trockman of Evansville, Indiana sends along this tidbit from the obituary of cold war Envoy Dobryrin of Russia. You may ask what this has to do with Steuben. Read further.
In his 1995 memoir “In Confidence,” Mr. Dobrynin wrote that during a 1972 meeting at Camp David, Soviet leader Brezhnev thought President Nixon had presented him an inexpensive gift, a Steuben glass eagle. Brezhnev gave it to Mr. Dobrynin, saying “I don’t need it. You take it.”
Mr. Dobrynin informed the premier that it was valued at $30,000 or more.
“Really?” Brezhnev said. “Give it back.”