Description:

Bush George H. W. 1924 - George H.W. Bush signed TLS recalling Miss Texas Dana Dowell, with extraordinary provenance

Single sheet of cream stationery with presidential eagle watermark and purple "The Vice President, Washington" letterhead signed "George B/" in blue ball point pen middle left. This September 23, 1985 letter measuring 7" x 9" is personally addressed to "Ron" from the White House. In the letter, Bush fondly recollects touring Gilmer, TX around 1969 as a Texas Congressman with then Miss Texas Dana Dowell, locally known as Miss Longview, whose talent was the drums. Bush also remembers purchasing a shirt at a nearby Marshall's during the same visit. In as new condition with expected central fold, from the extraordinary collection of Ronald Ellis Wade.

Most of the letter content can be found below:

Dear Ron:

Well do I remember my campaign visits to Gilmer. I will always be grateful for your support. I particularly remember the broad smiles when we introduced Dana Dowell, the then Miss Texas.

The shirt I bought at Marshall's Department store has long since gone by the boards. The memories of Gilmer linger on - happily.

Most Sincerely,

George Bush

Below is an interesting interview from TheHill.com, about Ron Wade and his collection of Presidential memorabilia:

Step into Ronald Wade's office and it's easy to see why he's listed in "Guinness World Records 2015" for the largest collection of U.S. presidential memorabilia _ÑÓ it's really a replica of the Oval Office.

"Actually, they quit counting," Wade says of his immense collection of White House and presidential campaign items, "because I probably have closer to 20,000 or 30,000 items, if not closer to 100,000 _ÑÓ that's with duplication." The official count from the folks behind the famed book puts Wade's collection in chief at 6,960 pieces as of last year.

The lifelong Republican has been racking up "practically anything that has to do with American politics" since he was 10 years old.

"My first memory in life is wearing an 'I Like Ike' button, and I was probably 4 years old. So I've always been interested in politics," Wade, 64, tells ITK.

The retired Texas Department of Human Services supervisor and Ex White House aide to President Nixon, says he counts former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush as friends. His most prized item in the collection is from the 41st commander in chief's failed 1964 Senate bid.

"George W. has been to my house, and seen my collection, and was quite impressed," boasts Wade, who has also donated several pieces from his massive memorabilia stockpile to the George W. Bush Presidential Library outside Dallas.

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