Lot #71

Richard Nixon Document Signed as President

Description

Rare high-level commission from President Nixon on his first day in office

Scarce partly-printed DS as president, one page, 23 x 19, January 21, 1969. President Nixon appoints Bryce N. Harlow of Virginia as "Assistant to the President of the United States of America." Signed boldly at the conclusion by Richard Nixon, and countersigned by Secretary of State William P. Rogers. The large beige paper seal, which is exhibiting some slight peeling, remains affixed to the lower left. Rolled and in fine condition, with three light vertical folds.

After serving in Gen. George C. Marshall’s public information office during World War II, Bryce Harlow (1916-1987) returned home to work in the publishing sector before ultimately joining the staff of the House Armed Services Committee. He was recruited to President Eisenhower’s newly established congressional liaison office and held a variety of White House titles. Near the end of Ike’s two-term administration, Harlow wrote campaign speeches for Republican candidate Richard Nixon in the leadup to the 1960 presidential election. He was a pivotal member of Nixon's successful presidential push in 1968, and was one of Nixon's first White House appointees. He started with the title of assistant to the president for legislative and congressional affairs, and before long was elevated as counselor to the president with cabinet rank, serving in tandem with future New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. High-level presidential appointments are exceedingly rare, with this particular example made all the more desirable by its incredibly early date—Nixon signed this commission on his first day in office.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
• Dates: #618 - Ended October 13, 2021

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