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Lot 110
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Dealer's Lot, Watergate Memorabilia, 55+ Pcs, Featuring 18 Signers Including Deep Throat!
Dealer's Lot, Watergate Memorabilia, 55+ Pcs, Featuring 18 Signers Including Deep Throat!
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Description:

Dealer's Lot, Watergate Memorabilia, 55+ Pcs, Featuring 18 Signers Including Deep Throat!

A sizable dealer's lot of autographed material relating to 37th U.S. President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) and the Watergate Scandal, various dates but ca. 1963-1991. The archive includes six signed books and booklets; seven typed letters signed; two matted autograph displays; as well as signed covers, brochures, and other items, with an assortment of vintage newspaper clippings and photographs. 18 signers, providing over 26 signatures, include, in alphabetical order: Howard H. Baker, Jr. (1);
Carl Bernstein (1); Alexander Butterfield (1); William Colby (1); Archibald Cox, Jr. (2); John W. Dean (2); John Ehrlichman (2); Mark Felt (1); H.R. Haldeman (2); Leon Jaworski (2); G. Gordon Liddy (1); James W. McCord, Jr. (1); Peter W. Rodino, Jr. (1); John J. Sirica (2); Frank Wills (2); Rose Mary Woods (2); Bob Woodward (1); and one unidentified. Individual condition issues will be discussed below, and please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall good to very good. 55+ pieces total.

The Watergate Scandal related to the break-in of 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.

The lot includes the autographs of Nixon staffers; Watergate perpetrators, prosecutors, and judges.; U.S. Senators and Congressmen; C.I.A. and F.B.I. officials; journalists, security guards, and others.

Signed Books or Booklets (signers in alphabetical order)

1. Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, "All the President's Men" (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1974), signed by coauthors Carl Bernstein (born 1944) as "Carl Bernstein" and Bob Woodward (born 1943) as "Bob Woodward" on the title page. First edition hardcover with original dust jacket lacking the retail price. 349pp. Expected wear including chips, wrinkles, and scuffs to the dust jacket, else nice, clean copy. 6.25" x 9.5" x 1.25." Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Four Speed Fun.

Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward were investigative reporters for the "Washington Post" leading the Watergate probe.

2. William Colby and Peter Forbath, "Honorable Men: My Life in the C.I.A." (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1978), signed by William Colby (1920-1996) as "Will E. Colby" on the title page; and additionally signed by Mark Felt (1913-2008), the F.B.I. official who leaked the Watergate Scandal to reporters, on p. 460, where there is a reference to Deep Throat. First edition hardcover with the original dust jacket listing a $12.95 retail price. 493pp. Expected wear to the dust jacket including chipped and sunned spine with retail sticker. Several repairs and scattered stains to the dust jacket, else very good. 6.5" x 9.5" x 1.625."

William Colby served as Director of the C.I.A. from 1973-1976.

3. John W. Dean, "Worse than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush" (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2004), signed by the author John W. Dean (born 1938) as "John Dean" on the title page. Stated first edition. Hardcover with the original dust jacket. 253pp. A minor break to the front binding and expected surface wear, else near fine. 5.75" x 8.5" x 1."

John W. Dean, who served as White House Counsel for President Nixon, participated in the Watergate coverup. He was imprisoned and later disbarred.

4. John Ehrlichman, "Witness to Power: The Nixon Years" (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1982), signed and dated by John Ehrlichman (1925-1999) as "John Ehrlichman / 1-12-82" on the title page. First edition hardcover with the original dust jacket listing a $17.50 retail price. 432pp. Minor dust jacket rubbing. 6.5" x 9.5" x 1.5."

John Ehrlichman served as White House Counsel and Domestic Affairs Advisor to President Nixon. He was convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy related to covering up the Watergate Scandal, and consequently jailed and disbarred.

5. Disbound "Presidential Campaign Activities of 1972, Phase I: Watergate Investigation" booklet, signed by H.R. Haldeman (1926-1993) as "HR Haldeman" on the front page. The booklet runs between pp. 3017-3076. Scattered binding residue and staple marks. 5.75" x 9.25" x .5."

H.R. Haldeman served as President Nixon's White House Chief of Staff. He served 18 months in prison for conspiracy and other counts.

6. James W. McCord, Jr., "A Piece of Tape: The Watergate Story: Fact and Fiction" (Rockville, Maryland: Washington Media Services, Ltd., 1974), signed by the author James W. McCord, Jr. (1924-2017) as "James McCord" on the front loose endpaper. Stated first printing. Soft covers with the original $3.95 price listed on the front cover. 329pp. Expected shelf wear to the covers and spine, else very good. 5.5" x 8.375" x .875." Accompanied by an eBay purchase invoice dated February 2010.

James W. McCord, Jr., a former C.I.A. agent, was one of the five men arrested for the Watergate Hotel break-in.

Signed Correspondence

A group of seven typed letters signed plus an original transmittal envelope, ca. 1963-1977. Letter topics relate to inquiries directed towards Nixon, or requests for autographed material from letter recipients. Numerous letterheads are featured including those of "Richard Nixon," "The White House," and "Watergate Special Prosecution Force." Expected wear including flattened folds, paper clip impressions, etc., else very good to near fine.

Signers include (alphabetical order):

- U.S. Senator from Tennessee Howard H. Baker, Jr. (1925-2014), ranking minority member of Senate Watergate Committee (1 pc)

- Archibald Cox, Jr. (1912-2004), Special Prosecutor, U.S. Department of Justice, assigned to Watergate Scandal (1 pc)

- Leon Jaworski (1905-1982), Special Prosecutor, U.S. Department of Justice, assigned to Watergate Scandal, dated less than one month after Saturday Night Massacre (1 pc)

- New Jersey Congressman Peter W. Rodino, Jr. (1909-2005), Chairman of House Judiciary Committee from 1973-1989 and involved in Watergate Scandal investigation (1 pc)

- Judge John J. Sirica (1904-1992), Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, who ordered Nixon to surrender the White House tape recordings (1 pc)

- Rose Mary Woods (1917-2005, Nixon's personal secretary from 1951-1974 (2 pcs). Accompanied by a numbered invoice from Eldon J. Almquist from Nixon Stuff.

Autograph Displays

- Matted display featuring five Watergate Scandal signatures, from left to right: G. Gordon Liddy (1930-2021), who oversaw the Watergate burglaries; Alexander Butterfield (born 1926), who revealed the existence of a White House taping system; Archibald Cox, Jr.; unidentified; and John W. Dean. The overall matted size is 14" x 11" x .25."

- Matted display featuring the signature of Frank Wills (1948-2000), the security guard who discovered the break-in at the Watergate Hotel, dated March 9, 1974. The signature clip is presented below a reproduction of a "New York Times" newspaper cover. Lightly encapsulated and measuring 14" x 11" x .25" overall. Accompanied by a Guarantee of Authenticity from Solar Stamps (Castleton, New York) mounted verso.

Miscellaneous

- A "some place special / Watergate" cocktail napkin signed by John D. Sirica; Leon Jaworski; and Archibald Cox.

- A "Nixon Resigns" first day cover signed by H.R. Haldeman, with a James Spence Authentication services sticker adhered to the lower left corner.

- An "Honoring Pearl Buck, 1892-1973" first day cover signed by John Ehrlichman. April 29, 1985. 6.5" x 3.625."

- A "The Watergate Hero: An Eyewitness Report by Frank Wills, the Guard Who Discovered the Watergate Break-in" brochure, signed by Frank Wills on the inside of the front cover.

- A Wide World Photos press photograph of John Ehrlichman and H.R. Haldeman. With typed caption affixed at top, stamped verso. 9.875" x 7.125."

- A large collection of vintage newspaper and magazine clippings, ca. 1973-1991, relating to the disgrace and rehabilitation of Jeb Stuart Magruder (1934-2014), Deputy Director of President Nixon's 1972 reelection campaign, approximately 37 pieces.

Please see our terms and conditions for large lots. We often offer dealer and mixed lots for which we offer on-site viewing and recommend interested parties view larger lots and collections. We cannot offer returns of lots of 5 or more items regardless of our other guarantees and they are sold "as-is" unless prior arrangements are made. We always do our best to attribute and vet larger groups and remove or identify anything inauthentic or note condition issues.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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October 18, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000