JOHNSON LYNDON B.: (1908-1973) American politician who served as President of the United States 1963-69. A good vintage signed and inscribed 14 x 11 photograph of Johnson seated in a full-length pose, alongside two other men, as they attentively listen and look towards George Ball, standing in a full-length pose at a lectern featuring the presidential seal, as he delivers a speech. Signed by Johnson in fountain pen ink to the lower white border, ´To George Ball, with high regard, Lyndon B. Johnson´. An unusual signed photograph with an interesting association. Neatly mounted to a stiff card and with some very light, minor damage to the edges and corners, otherwise VG

George W. Ball (1909–1994) American diplomat who served as Under Secretary of State from 1961–66, under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and briefly as United States Ambassador to the United Nations in 1968. One of Lyndon B. Johnson's most influential foreign-policy advisers, Ball was also the administration's most prominent high-level dissenter over the Vietnam War, repeatedly warning the President against escalating American military involvement and advocating a negotiated settlement. Although Johnson ultimately rejected Ball's advice on Vietnam, he valued his willingness to challenge the prevailing consensus and deliberately encouraged him to present the opposing case during crucial policy deliberations.