Group of items from the Apollo 11 state dinner hosted by President Richard Nixon at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on August 13, 1969, originating from the collection of comedy writer Paul W. Keyes. Includes: Keyes's official invitation to the dinner with its original White House mailing envelope; his admission pass; the dinner menu; a table diagram card; a "Presidential Party" parking pass; an "NX 172" tag; a reflective American flag Apollo 11 sticker; and a 3.5″ tall American flag souvenir dessert topper from the 'Clair de Lune' served at the dinner. In overall fine condition.
Paul W. Keyes (1924-2004) was an Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and producer for some of television's classic shows, including 'The Jack Paar Show,' 'The Dean Martin Comedy Hour,' and 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.' Keyes had been a writer/producer of 'The Jack Paar Show' since it premiered in 1957 as 'Tonight Starring Jack Paar.' Then Vice President and Mrs. Nixon appeared on the August 25, 1960, Paar telecast during Nixon's presidential campaign against John F. Kennedy. This began a lifelong friendship. Keyes had been writing jokes for Nixon since his 1962 campaign for Governor of California. In January 1968, while working as a writer/producer of 'Laugh-In,' Keyes was put on the Nixon payroll primarily to write light jokes for Nixon to deliver. Keyes is even mentioned on the infamous White House tapes on multiple occasions.
