Unusual combination of a TLS and check: an intriguing TLS signed "Bill Clinton," one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, February 2, 2001. Letter to Brian Ready, in full: "Hillary and I appreciate your friendship and generosity during this past year. However, to resolve all questions concerning the whole matter, we are sending you the enclosed check. We apologize for any inconvenience or difficulty this may cause. Thank you very much." Includes the aforesaid personal check, 6 x 2.75, filled out in another hand and signed by Hillary Clinton, "H. R. Clinton," payable to Brian Ready for $300, February 2, 2001. In overall fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, as well as a provenance letter from Ready, dated November 20, 2009, in full: "I managed The Scarborough Gallery in Chappaqua, NY in 2000, where the Clinton's had bought a home when Bill went out of office. An art salesman told me to buy a painting of a chocolate lab he had that looked like Buddy (their dog) and to give it to the Clinton's as a 'welcome to the neighborhood' gift, which I did. I never heard anything until a few months later when I got a call from the Whitehouse [sic] asking me what the value of the painting was. Bill Clinton did wind up doing some picture framing with me, nothing big just repairs and small jobs. A few months after the call my name started coming out in all these newspapers (along with Sylvester Stallone and Jack Nicholson) as part of the $190k in gifts they had to return to people or pay for when Bill went out of office. A while after that I received this apology letter from Bill and the $300 check signed by Hillary."
In the weeks before the president left the White House and the first lady entered the Senate, the Clintons officially accepted over $190,000 worth of furniture, china, and other lavish parting gifts from a myriad of famous friends. Unaware that many of said gifts were presented solely to the White House, the Clintons transported the offerings, as well as other valuable presidential keepsakes, to their new five-bedroom house on 15 Old House Lane in Chappaqua, New York. The Clintons transition into public life sparked a controversy that additionally marred the first lady's opening moments as a senator, a dual role she held for some 18 days. As a means to lesson public pressure, the Clintons returned much of the White House furniture, and reimbursed a total of $86,000 worth of gifts, including Ready's $300 likeness of Buddy the chocolate Lab. In fine condition.
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