Three 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: the dinner menu; a Beta patch featuring the Apollo 11 mission insignia; and an original Western Union telegram inviting him to 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.
