Comprehensive assemblage of approximately 175 items signed by the enormous cast of the Watergate scandal. The archive is highlighted by 34 items signed by Richard Nixon, and ten items signed by future presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush. Dated between September 26, 1970, and January 22, 1991, Nixon’s letters cover nearly the entire expanse of his presidency, from his dealings with the Vietnam War to his Watergate cover-up.
The items signed by Nixon include: 19 TLSs as president, all on White House letterhead and all signed “RN”; seven post-presidential TLSs (two signed in full; one signed “Dick Nixon,” with a lengthy postscript in his own hand; two signed “Dick”; and two signed “RN”); one post-presidential ALS signed “RN”; one inauguration invitation, also signed by Gerald Ford; two souvenir typescripts; one TIME magazine cover (trimmed); one signed envelope; and two signatures (one with a waterstain through the center).
Although several letters date to the scandal period, Nixon remains brief and cordial, often expressing his gratitude for support. One letter, dated November 14, 1973, just days before his famed ‘I am not a crook’ press conference, in full: “Many times in the past I have had occasion to thank you, but I want to say once again how much it means to know I have been able to count on the loyalty and understanding of so many good, long-time friends. At this time in particular, I am deeply grateful for your assurance of continued support.”
The ten items signed by future presidents include: two TLSs from George Bush; six TLSs from Gerald Ford (one signed in full, the others signed “Jerry Ford”); an FDC signed by Ford, Archibald Cox, Ben Bradlee, and Bob Woodward; and an ALS as governor from Ronald Reagan, signed “RR.” Though undated, the Reagan letter holds fantastic content indicating that it was written at the height of the Watergate controversy, in part: “You asked for my views on ‘Watergate.’ First let me say those who committed the break in are guilty of an illegal act and I might add a very stupid act. Those who kept information concerning this act from the Pres. also behaved stupidly and did him great harm even though they were motivated by loyalty. In my opinion the Pres. has been completely truthful; he was not aware of what had been planned and knew nothing of the attempt to cover it up. Now however we are seeing a politically inspired effort to discredit him and by so doing to make it impossible for him to carry out the program he promised the voters in the last election. I am optimistic, though I believe this lynch attempt by some elements of the press and the opposition party will fail.”
Of additional note are softcover copies of Watergate: Chronology of a Crisis, Volumes 1 and 2, and a hardcover copy of John Dean’s Blind Ambition, all from the personal library of Chief Judge John J. Sirica, with each bearing his copious pencil annotations throughout. Also includes a hardcover copy of To Set the Record Straight, with an accompanying TLS signed by Sirica.
The remainder of the archive contains approximately 140 various items signed by over 95 different notable figures in the Watergate scandal, including: Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Barry Goldwater, John Dean, Henry Kissinger, John Sirica, G. Gordon Liddy, Archibald Cox, and many others. In overall fine condition. From the president himself to the guard who apprehended the five Watergate burglars, this phenomenal archive features nearly every player from one of Washington’s most devastating scandals.
Due to the large quantity some secretarial and/or printed signatures may be included. Interested parties are encouraged to view the collection in person at our offices or call us with specific inquiries, as this collection is sold as is and no returns will be accepted.
The complete list of signers: Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Barry Goldwater, John Dean, Henry Kissinger, Rose Mary Woods, Ronald Ziegler, Roland Elliott, William Baroody, Jr., Glen E. Pommerening, Tim Lee Carter, Mike McKevitt, L. Patrick Gray, Charles Percy, Jacob K. Javitz, Hugh Scott, Joseph P. Addabbo, Fred D. Thompson, Robert C. Odle, Herbert Porter, H. R. Haldeman, Dwight Chapin, Elliot Richardson, William Ruckelshaus, Patrick Buchanan, John J. Sirica, Chester Holifield, Jeb S. Magruder, Robert C. Byrd, Harold T. Johnson, Edmund Muskie, Alexander Haig, Donald Segretti, Charles Alan Wright, Melvin Laird, John Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, G. Gordon Liddy, Walter J. Hickel, Alexander Butterfield, Charles Rebozo, Earl Butz, Peter G. Peterson, Earl J. Silbert, R. E. Cushman, Jr., John J. Wilson, Thomas O’Neill, Richard Kleindienst, Stephen Bull, John C. Bennett, Jill Wine Volner, D. Todd Christofferson, Jerome Waldie, George McGovern, Tom Quinn, Hugh W. Sloan, George L. Hart, James St. Clair, Lawrence O’Brien, Charles W. Colson, Herbert Kalmbach, Henry E. Petersen, Martin Huff, Peter Rodino, Peter H. Dominick, Hasso von Manteuffel, John M. Murphy, Gordon Strachan, Michael B. Smith, Mary McGrory, Daniel Schorr, Martha Mitchell, John Mitchell, Joe Namath, Eli Chesen, Vernon Walters, Frank Sturgis, James W. McCord, Maurice Stans, John B. Barrett, E. Howard Hunt, Anthony Ulasewicz, Frank Wills, Archibald Cox, Leon Jaworski, Richard Ben-Veniste, James F. Neal, Samuel Dash, Sam J. Ervin, Jr., Howard H. Baker, Fred D. Thompson, Edward J. Gurney, Rufus J. Edmisten, Herman E. Talmadge, and Joseph M. Montoya.
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