President Nixon’s personally-owned and -used personalized Spalding golf ball, embossed in italicized black type on one side, “President Nixon.” It also bears manufacturer’s marks that read “Spalding,” “Top-Flite,” and “2.” The ball exhibits general marks and discoloration with signs of use.
Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from the wife of Melvon O. Carter, who had worked on the White House maintenance crew from the time of Presidents Hoover through Nixon. Mr. Carter was often, over a forty year period, in close proximity to presidential families. In part: “My husband, Melvon O. Carter…had served at the White House from the time of President Herbert Hoover in 1932 until President Richard M. Nixon…This President Richard Nixon golf ball is not a presentation or gift golf ball. It is a personal ball owned and used by President Nixon while practicing his game on the South Lawn…According to my husband, President Nixon was not the most graceful or coordinated golfer in Presidential history. President Eisenhower was better and loved the game, but President John F. Kennedy was a much better golfer, despite his bad back. M. O. only judged athletic ability. He did not make judgments concerning Presidential greatness.” Hampered by both a lack of talent and little experience, Nixon had not taken up golf until he was vice president, as a way to spend more time with his ‘boss,’ the avid golfer Dwight D. Eisenhower. Well-documented personal golf balls belonging to presidents are highly coveted by advanced collectors.
