Description:

Nixon Foreshadowing TLS on Recordings: "As you know, the tapes can be used repeatedly…"

TLS, 1p, measuring 8" x 10.5", dated January 19, 1952, Washington, D.C. A letter from then-Senator Richard Nixon to one Ed Weisenreder of the commercial San Francisco radio station KEAR. Within, Nixon talks of tapes he had prerecorded in Washington which would be broadcast during the station's 5:40 time slot, possibly as part of a political ad campaign. An unsuspecting Nixon ironically writes in regards to the the recordings, "the tapes can be used repeatedly", nearly twenty years before the discovery of the Watergate tapes which led to his subsequent resignation as president. Accompanied by original envelope, stamped with his signature and postmarked February 12, 1952. Expected wear, including minor creasing, flattened letter folds, and light toning throughout. Very good condition with interesting contents!

In part:

"Thank you very much for your kindness in writing to inform me that you have scheduled my recordings from Washington for broadcasting at 5:40 p.m. every other Saturday.
I have noted the change in your call letters, and have corrected my records accordingly.
As you know, the tapes can be used repeatedly, and therefore if it will not be inconvenient for you to do so I will appreciated it if you will return them to the Joint Senate and House Recording Facility, Old House Office Building, Washington, D.C…."

At the heart of the Watergate Scandal, which involved the coverup of a break in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters organized by Nixon and his closest advisers, were a series of audio recordings documenting hours of the president's conversations. The tapes' existence came to light when the system was mentioned during the testimony of White House aide Alexander Butterfield before the Watergate Committee. Despite Nixon's efforts to claim executive privilege on the contents of the tapes, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled against him. Indeed, the most damning evidence was found on a recording from June 23, 1972 between Nixon and WH Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman, now referred to as the "smoking gun" tape, in which they discuss having the CIA claim to the FBI that the break in was a matter of national security. Once this was made to the public, all political support for Nixon unsurprisingly vanished, leaving him little choice but to announce his presidential resignation on August 8, 1974.

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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