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Sale 2
Lot 200
Ford, Gerald R. 38th President of the United States,1974-1977.
Copy of Nixon Pardon Signed, Two Typed Letters Signed, Signed Photograph, et al. Framed collection of six items signed by Gerald Ford, including:
A. Copy of the Nixon Pardon Signed. Two pages, Quarto, brown stationery, n.p., dated September 8, 1974. Typed souvenir copy of the proclamation granting pardon to Richard Nixon. Ford has signed the typescript document at the bottom of the second page, adding the date, "11/5/79." The document begins, "PROCLAMATION 4311, Granting Pardon to Richard Nixon, September 8, 1974, By the President of the United States of America a Proclamation Richard Nixon became the thirty-seventh President of the United States on January 20, 1969 …Pursuant to resolutions of the House of Representatives, its Committee on the Judiciary conducted an inquiry and investigation on the impeachment of the President …As a result of certain acts or ommissions occuring before his resignation from the Office of President, Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States …It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost …Now, Therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, puruant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon …" This artifact is a souvenir copy created after the fact to memorialize the event. Despite denials by President Ford that he never knowingly signed any "duplicates" of the pardon document that have found their way onto the market, we note that genuine Ford signatures, like the one on our Pardon, have appeared on copies of this historic document. It seems evident in the present case that the brown pages on which our transcript is recorded were removed from a signed copy of Ford's memoir, "A Time To Heal," first published in 1979. Ford was in the habit of signing and dating the volume in the center of the blank front fly-leaf. It would be no problem to remove the leaf, along with the blank leaf at the end of the book, insert the two leaves into a typewriter, and recreate Ford's Pardon so that it filled one leaf, and concluded above the pre-existing Ford signature and date on the other. (For a fuller account of similar souvenir pardons see the Jennifer Larson article, "The Nixon Pardon Transcripts," AB, August 19-26, 1991). In Fine condition.
B. Typed Letter Signed as Vice President. One page, Octavo, Vice Presidential letterhead, Washington, February 14, 1974. To Mrs. Helen Platte, Ford's brother Richard's mother-in-law, a member of the "Ford clan," thanking her for her letter of congratulations to Ford as he steps into the Office of the Vice President. This simple letter is remarkably articulate: "Dear Mrs. Platte [Ford has inked the name 'Helen' over this] Betty and I truly appreciate the warmth of your note written as I became Vice President of the United States. This is a great honor that has come to me; and I will certainly do my utmost to merit the confidence you have expressed in me. Having the support of the "Ford clan" is particularly encouraging and most heartwarming to us. Betty particularily [sic] appreciates your comments on her TV appearence since this is a new role and she is eager for it to be perfect. With warmest personal regards. Sincerely, Jerry [above Gerald R. Ford]." These candid remarks on becoming Vice President were written six months before Ford assumed the Presidency upon Nixon's resignation. Fine condition.
C. Typed Letter Signed. One page, Octavo, personal printed letterhead, n.p., June 19, 1986. Warm letter to Donald Gibson thanking him for his contributions to the Ford Foundation, an organ supporting the activities of the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum and the Ford Library. Ford writes: "It was so nice to see you at Muirfield. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. I am most grateful for your continuing support of the Foundation both financially and otherwise. The valuable memorabilia you donate to the Library and Museum are greatly appreciated…" In Fine condition.
D. Signed Photograph. B&W, approximately. 8 x 10, n.p., n.d. Becoming headshot of a smiling Gerald R.Ford, signed in full, "Gerald R. Ford." A beautiful portrait of the President. Fine.
E. Signed Executive Mansion Vignette. 6 x 4" card with a B&W vignette of the White House signed, "Gerald R. Ford." Very Fine.
F. Signed Presidential Bookplate. Gilt-imprinted 2½ x 4" Presidential bookplate bearing the Presidential Seal, which reads: "Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States of America." Signed in full, "Gerald R. Ford." Fine.
G. Signed First Day Cover. Printed 4 x 7" cover of the "Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum," postmarked September 18, 1981, with a printed embossed gold Presidential seal and commemorative cachet. Ford has signed the cover next to his printed signature, "Gerald R. Ford." Fine condition.
The seven pieces in this collection are archivally framed together with a bronze Presidential medallion and inscribed plaque which reads, "Gerald R. Ford, 38th U.S. President, 1974- 1977." Overall size 27½ x 39½."
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
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| Realized $1,035 |
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