524801
Gerald R. Ford
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Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr., 1913-2006. 38th President of the United States, 1974-1977. Excellent content Typed Letter Signed, Jerry, one page, 8" x 10½", on stationery of the Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., July 12, 1957.
This is an usual, and hence highly desirable, letter in which one president refers to another. Writing to loyal Republican constituent, Ford comments on the greatness of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He writes, in part: ”I certainly concur with you on the greatness of Ike and the impression he will make on history as the years pass."
Ford then looks ahead to the 1960 election, which gives the letter another interesting association: ”Also, thanks for your continued interest in the progress of the Republican party. Attitudes like yours will surely be to our advantage to us [sic] in 1960." Of course, Richard Nixon, then Vice President, lost the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy. But later Nixon, who came back to win the presidency in 1968 and 1972, made Ford Vice President and thus paved the way for Ford to inherit the White House.
Hence Ford became the only person to become President who was not elected as either President or Vice President. In 1973, Nixon chose Ford, the House Minority Leader and a 24-year veteran of Congress, to succeed Vice President Spiro Agnew, who resigned in scandal. The first Vice President appointed under the provisions of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, Ford was confirmed by both houses of Congress and took office December 6, 1973. Just over eight months later, on August 9, 1974, Ford succeeded to the presidency after Nixon, too, resigned in scandal.
Ford's subsequent pardon of Nixon before any charges were filed against him—an attempt to heal the nation by putting Watergate behind and avoiding an extended trial—crippled Ford's bid for election in his own right. He lost to Jimmy Carter after fending off a strong primary challenge from Ronald Reagan in 1976. Ford nevertheless maintained that he had done the right thing by pardoning Nixon. Recognizing Ford’s settling influence on a nation torn by Watergate, President Carter began his inaugural address thus: ”For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land.”
Ford was the last surviving member of the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Despite numerous conspiracy theories through the years, Ford steadfastly endorsed the Warren Commission's conclusion that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
Ford has signed this letter boldly in blue. The letter is very fine, with only mailing folds not affecting the signature and small, almost unnoticeable staple holes and pinpoint stains in the upper left corner.
Unframed. Please ask us about custom framing this piece.
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