Description:

Ronald Reagan
Washington, D.C., February 3, 1981
Reagan Talking Points For 1981 Luncheon With U.S. Mayors
AD
A fine partly-printed autograph document (unsigned), bearing over 100 words penned in Reagan's unique personal code. The document, three pages, 8.5" x 5.5", Washington, February 3, 1981, namely notes for a lecture given during a "Luncheon for Mayors." Reagan expands upon his original text, adds clarification, and drives several points about government spending home. Stapled at top left, fine condition. Impeccable provenance as this item comes from the files of Helene von Damm (b. 1938), Reagan's longtime personal secretary and later Ambassador to Austria, and gifted to our consignor, her White House assistant.

The speech opens with stating its purpose, namely "solving the nation's economic problem is of utmost importance…We must find ways to cut red tape…"

Reagan's holograph notations punctuate the speech throughout and read, in part: "…The mandate most important…mayors shld…one gvn. thm by…P. & not…Ones hnd. down…Unelectd burocrats. Thr…Add Problems…Ovr 500 categoricl grnt progs…St. & Loc Govts…Each has…own requrmnts & burocys…syst inefficnt & prevnts loc. offcls…hung…flexibility Nd…Handle stuation…Loc. Govt. must do its part…Lowerng loc. barriers - Job creating ent. zones…work. Zoning bldg codes, licnsng & loc. taxes going HV…Be rexmind. Ths admin plns…encourage…current surge…slf hlp activty - activitys wch rely on loc. Intiatn & loc. control. For 50 yrs…govt. powr…bn centralizng in Wash. & has provn disaster. Nats. Cities…Now wld lk call Sec. Pierce Murray, Wiednbaum & Ed Meese…discuss ec. prog…more detail…".

On Feb. 3, 1981, Reagan met with 12 mayors in the cabinet room and family dining room from 11:35 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. According to the copy of Reagan's daily schedule housed in the Reagan Library: "The Administration's objective is to receive input from state and local officials before formulating its economic program. This meeting provides an opportunity for a group of principal mayors to meet with leading economic advisers and to express their viewpoints. " The Mayors in attendance included Marion Barry, Edward Koch and Pete Wilson.

Reagan's unique ability to give speeches from code began in the 1930s when he was a sportscaster. Reagan reported the "…action from nothing but a slip of paper typed by a telegraph operator who was transcribing plays sent by Morse code…" (The Reagan Library). As President, Reagan improvised many of his most famous and important speeches, working only from cards written in his own code and which he kept at the podium to be referred to as needed.

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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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 5.5"
  • Medium: AD

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October 30, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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