Mar 19, 2015 - Sale 2376

Sale 2376 - Lot 109

Price Realized: $ 5,980
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000
ARCHIVE OF PAPERS FROM NIXON'S FIRST CAMPAIGN MANAGER NIXON, RICHARD M. Archive of 28 letters to Roy O. Day, including many Typed Letters Signed, "Dick Nixon" or "Dick" or "RN," and an Autograph Letter Signed, "Dick." The letters, including 6 as President, many arranging meetings or publicity, the later ones mostly conveying campaign activities or personal greetings. Together 33 pages, 4to or folio, many on stationery; condition generally good. should be seen. (TFC) Vp, 1945-74

Additional Details

22 November 1945: ". . . [T]hank you for your letter . . . which brought me up to date on the latest developments. I also received your notice of the meeting with a list of members of the committee.
". . . I am very anxious to learn the results of the meeting on the 28th. . . ."
The postscript: "As Mr. Barcome suggested, I sent a biographical s[k]etch and two glossy prints to the county office for publicity purposes."
[1946], 3-page ALS: ". . . I think . . . one of your letters in a 'breezy' style to all hands would be a fitting climax to the campaign. As you & I know too many people were disappointed only because they don't know the significance of the trend since 1944. I think you could point out that here I was, a candidate unknown in the district in Jan--against a man 10 years in Congress; that we used none of our big guns . . . ; that Voorhis polled 60% of the total vote . . . in the primary in 1944 and only 53.5% in 1946 . . . ; that keen political observers like Chick Hansen thought we ran a damned fine race; that this was the best Republican party showing in years, etc.
". . . The fact is interesting too that we had no machine politics (all volunteers & much new blood) & were opposed by a PAC-backed candidate . . . .
". . . [P]lans are already being set in motion for the final campaign & that . . . a committee . . . with Day as chair . . . will keep the wolves away. . . ."
The postscript: ". . . [S]end copies of your closing letter to our friendly editors. I'm sure Rex would pick it up for his column . . . ."
1 November 1949: "Some time ago I promised to let you know my decision relative to the United States Senate race next year.
"I have now decided to seek the post, and it is my intention to wage an aggressive, hard-hitting campaign against the Socialistic Welfare State policies which have been consistently supported by the incumbent Democratic Senator, Sheridan Downey . . . . "
23 April 1962: "This is just a note to tell you how very much I appreciated your acting as a sponsor of my candidacy for Governor . . . ."
5 August 1974: ". . . [Y]our generous comments and expression of confidence mean even more than is usually the case. As you can imagine, words of encouragement are particularly welcome at this difficult time . . . ."
with--over 100 related items from the files of Roy O. Day, including printed campaign ephemera, such as photographs, programs, invitations, and newspaper clippings, as well as many letters and telegrams from business and political leaders relating to campaign issues.
Roy Otis Day (1900-1986) was Nixon's campaign manager in his successful 1946 Congressional race against Jerry Voorhis, and a life-long supporter of Republican causes.