Nixon Richard


Richard Nixon Superb Resignation Letter on White House Stationery from Reagan Speech Writer  

1p souvenir TLS signed by 37th U.S. President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) as "Richard Nixon" near top, displayed to the right of a color photograph of Oliver Atkin's iconic photograph of Nixon's departing the White House on August 9, 1974. Handsomely matted and framed behind glass. Not examined out of frame. The TLS measures 8" x 10" while the overall frame size is 27.75" x 21" x 1.25". The mahogany-finished frame has expected superficial wear including minor scuff marks, else near fine. Ex-Stan Whitlock (see biography below).  

This souvenir presidential resignation letter was signed by former President Nixon sometime after his official last day in office, on cream "Strathmore" watermarked White House stationery procured from a Reagan speechwriter. Complete with "The White House / Washington" cobalt blue letterhead, the TLS is dated August 9, 1974 and is addressed to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (born 1923). It contains the explosive 17-word message: "Dear Mr. Secretary: I hereby resign the Office of President of the United States. Sincerely, Richard Nixon."  

Nixon was forced to resign following the revelation of the Watergate Scandal, so-called because five men broke in to Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate Hotel to dig up dirt prior to Nixon's reelection campaign. The June 17, 1972 break-in and its subsequent investigation had revealed systematic wrongdoing and coverup in the Nixon administration during both terms. Nixon officials were accused of various illegal activities, ranging from unauthorized tape recording to the intimidation and harassment of political opponents.  

Nixon staunchly defended himself. He released tapes and transcripts in an attempt to increase transparency, yet formal impeachment proceedings were brought against him in May 1974. Facing certain opposition in both the House of Representatives and Senate, Nixon preemptively resigned. In his August 8, 1974 televised resignation speech, Nixon adroitly avoided any discussion of the circumstances precipitating his resignation. Instead, he put a positive spin on the whole matter, urged support for his successor, 38th U.S. President Gerald Ford, and boldly recounted his administration's achievements. Nixon was leaving office on his own terms.  

Oliver Atkins (1917-1977) began as Nixon's personal photographer, and served as his official White House photographer between 1969-1974. Atkins captured this memorable image of Nixon boarding the Marine Corps helicopter flashing his "double-v" campaign sign, and grinning at the crowd. The gesture was quite unexpected and jarring. Rather than leaving the White House  in dishonor and defeat, Nixon acted like a triumphant politician forced to retire against his wishes. Nixon had co-opted the "double-v" sign from his one-time running mate President Eisenhower.  

The Sikorsky helicopter that transported ex-President Nixon, model number 150617, served as part of the presidential fleet between 1960-1976. It is now part of the collection of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum  in Yorba Linda, California.  

Henry Kissinger (born 1923), had escaped Germany to become Nixon's National Security Advisor between 1969-1975, and his Secretary of State between 1973-1974. The Nobel Peace Prize Winner and published author is the owner of Kissinger Associates, an international consulting firm.  

Provenance: Ex-Stan Whitlock  

According to Stan Whitlock's LinkedIn page, he is the principal of a consulting business named Media Strategies Group. In this capacity, Whitlock provides crisis media consulting, public relations direction, and speech writing. He writes: "As speech writer, I'm proud to have worked 'across the aisle' for some key Republican and Democratic leaders alike on the state and national levels…President Reagan once told me, approvingly, that I would have made a 'good Hollywood script writer'…" Whitlock has considerable journalistic experience. He has edited several newspapers, directed a TV news affiliate, and "designed and deployed successful campaigns for a host of political and business clients, from national Presidential, Gubernatorial and Congressional campaigns to Fortune 500 CEOs as well as the occasional entertainment and sports celebrity."  

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