Description:

Ronald Reagan
Berlin, Germany, June 12, 1987
Inspiring Photo of Reagan Delivering Berlin Wall Speech, Signed by WH Speech Writer, Peter Robinson
Photograph
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004). A 20" x 16" color photograph of the 40th President of the United States delivering his famous "Tear Down This Wall" speech on June 12, 1987 in front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. With Certificate of Authenticity and image of Robinson signing photos. In near fine condition.

A handwritten excerpt of Reagan's speech by White House speech writer Peter Robinson (b.1957), boldly penned in black felt tip, in full: "Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe...Standing before the Brandenburg Gate, every man is a German, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar...As long as this gate is closed, as long as this sea of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind...General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! / Ronald Reagan / Address at the Brandenburg Gate / June 12, 1987 / Peter Robinson, the White House speech writer who drafted the 'Tear down this wall' address".

Reagan gave this speech with a rousing delivery culminating in the exhortation to the Soviet leader, "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!" Incredibly, this memorable line almost didn't make it into Reagan's speech, with many in his administration believing it was too bellicose. Reagan, however, kept putting the line back in, and it's now considered one of the greatest quotes of the Cold War, inspiring Germans to tear down the Berlin Wall two years later.

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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  • Provenance: With COA and image of Robinson signing photos.
  • Dimensions: 20" x 16"
  • Medium: Photograph

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September 18, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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