Imposing elephant desk piece or bookend. Silver colored Asian elephant bookend measures approximately 10″ from trunk to tail and stands on a 4 x 8 black marble or granite base. An engraved presentation plaque on the base reads: “Richard M. Nixon—President of The United States—January 20, 1969 to January 20, 1977.” Accompanied by a detailed 1982 letter on White House letterhead from former 30 year White House maid Viola ‘Big Momma’ Wise, which reads, in part: “President Richard M. Nixon had a personal collection of gavels and elephants in the White House. I ought to know. I helped keep them clean. This fine piece was a gift to me from Patricia Nixon…Shortly before President Nixon’s resignation over Watergate she gave me this in her bedroom. At the time I did not think about the significance of the date inscribed upon it. Later, I thought Mrs. Nixon did, since it was engraved January 20, 1977. She gave it to me at the end of July or the beginning of August 1974…She simply said, ‘Viola, you have served the White House for a long time. I thought you might like to have this’…This is a personal possession of President Nixon’s.” In very fine condition. A unique and curious White House artifact from President Nixon’s own elephant collection. Rare as few items are seen listing Nixon’s two complete terms as Chief Executive.
