Historic grouping of materials associated with the Watergate scandal, including: a Congressional subpoena from the Watergate Committee signed by Chairman Sam Ervin, five personal desk items belonging to Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson, a book from the estate of Judge John J. Sirica, a bank document signed by Sirica, a book signed by Judge Gerhard A. Gesell, and twelve original newspapers covering the Watergate story. The archive includes:
(1.) Historic 1973 Congressional Subpoena for the Watergate Hotel. Partly-printed DS, signed “Sam J. Ervin, Jr.,” one page, 8 x 10.5, October 5, 1973. Congressional subpoena from the Watergate Committee sent to the “Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. N. W., Washington, D.C.,” commanding them to “appear before the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities on Forthwith, Friday, Oct. 5th, 1973…All records relating to the registration of Herbert W. Kalmbach, of Newport Beach, California, for the period from January 1969 to present, including, but not limited to, signature card, transcript of account, telephone calls, use of safety deposit box, and all related documents.” In fine condition, with scattered creases and toning to edges. Kalmbach was Nixon’s personal attorney and became embroiled in the Watergate scandal due to his fundraising activities in the early 1970s, some of which supported undercover operatives directed by senior White House figures under Nixon. This included the handling of a $500,000 fund to finance the operations of Donald Segretti, which included sabotage and espionage against Democrats; Kalmbach also raised over $200,000 in 'hush money' to pay off the Watergate burglars. A remarkable document from this historic investigation, especially desirable in that it is directed specifically at the Watergate Hotel. Provenance: RR Auction, July 16, 2014.
(2.) U.S. Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson; personal desk top items. Personally owned and displayed desktop items from U.S. Attorney General Richardson circa the Watergate era: (i) a marble box with label “Previous Owner Elliot Richardson Attorney General.” Brass plate states: “Made from marble taken from the walls of The Stock Exchange Building Demolished 1970” (brass hinge indicates “Made in England”); (ii) a magnifying glass bearing the following inscription: “Elliot L. Richardson” “Crime Prevention Association - 1972” “In Appreciation Boys Club (Boys Clubs of America)”; (iii) a marble paperweight, American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976, bearing the Great Seal of the United States, with brass plate bearing the Declaration of Independence; (iv) marble paperweight, Chicago Bar Association; (v) Jefferson Cup with engraving of presentation to “Hon. Elliot D. Richardson - February 15, 1989,” bearing Seal of Jefferson County, Kentucky, with engraved inscription from Harvey Sloan, M.D., Jefferson County Judge/Executive. Richardson had the distinction of serving in three high-level Executive Branch posts in a single year—the tumultuous year of 1973—as the Watergate Scandal came to dominate the attention of official Washington, and the American public at large. In October 1973, after Richardson had served 5 months as Attorney General, President Nixon ordered him to fire the top lawyer investigating the Watergate scandal, Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. Richardson had promised Congress he would not interfere with the Special Prosecutor, and, rather than disobey the President or break his promise, he resigned.
(3.) Book by John J. Sirica: To Set The Record Straight, The Break-in, The Tapes, The Conspirators, the Pardon (W.W. Norton Company 1979). From the estate of Judge John Sirica (with annotated attribution in pencil on first free end page), with a sheet of his official court stationery: "United States District Court for the District of Columbia - Chambers of Judge John J. Sirica." Also accompanied by a bank document signed by John J. Sirica, dated May 15, 1967, National Bank of Washington.
(4.) An Anecdotal History of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia 1801-1976. Discussion of Watergate-era cases and the work of Chief Judge Sirica in the chapter titled “The Twilight of the Gods.” Signed by prior owner, Judge Gerhard A. Gesell. Federal Judge Gesell presided over momentous cases in the Watergate scandals, the release of the secret Pentagon Papers, the Iran-contra affair and the legalization of abortion. During the Watergate investigations and litigation, Judge Gesell ruled that the dismissal of Archibald Cox as special prosecutor in the “Saturday night massacre” in October 1973 had been illegal.
(5.) Newspapers announcing resignation of President Richard M. Nixon and other Watergate developments. All in excellent condition. (i) New York Post, August 8, 1974, EXTRA - NIXON QUITS TONIGHT; (ii) New York Post, August 9, 1974, NIXON: The Trouble Isn’t Over -- FORD: Hoping To Heal The Wounds; (iii) New York Times, August 9, 1974, NIXON RESIGNS - He Urges a Time of ‘Healing’; For Will Take Office Today.” (iv) New York Daily News, August 9, 1974, NIXON RESIGNS -- Acts in ‘Interest of Nation,’ Asks for End to Bitterness - Ford Will Take Oath at Noon, Kissinger Agrees to Stay On. (v) The Daily Argus (Mount Vernon, NY), August 9, 1974, FORD PRESIDENT AS NIXON QUITS; (vi) New York Daily News, August 10, 1974, President Ford Pledges: Truth, Peace and Security” (front page photo of CJ Burger administering oath of office); (vii) New York Post, August 6, 1974, NIXON SIDES CRUMBLING He Calls In The Cabinet - Stock Market Goes Wild; (viii) The Daily Argus (Mount Vernon, NY), August 6, 1974, Nixon Admits cover-up; (ix) New York Sunday News, August 11, 1974, “Ford Keeps Nixon’s Cabinet;” (x) New York Post, May 2, 1974, SHOWDOWN ● Sirica Sets New Deadline ● Panel Vote Raps Nixon ● Tapes, Transcripts Differ; (xi) New York Post, March 12, 1974, NIXON BALKS -- Won’t Give House More Tapes; (xii) New York Times, December 7, 1973, Ford Sworn as Vice President.
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