Glossy 9.5 x 7.5 photo of Nixon talking to reporter Al Bine, affixed to a 13 x 12 mount, signed and inscribed in black ink on the mount “To Al Bine, Who on or off the record is a fine reporter and a true gentleman—from his friend Richard Nixon, 1-26-77.” In fine condition, with some scattered light surface marks to image.
Considering Nixon’s relationship with the press (what with that whole Watergate thing) it’s surprising that the former president would describe a member of the Fourth Estate in positive terms. Perhaps it was a shared love of sports that prompted Nixon to offer such accolades to Bine, a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Examiner. Or maybe he took secret pride in knowing that, in 1959, legendary college football coach Woody Hayes took a swing at Bine, instead connecting with the brother of Pasadena Independent sports editor Bob Shafer. Interestingly, Nixon later gave the eulogy at Hayes’ 1987 funeral. An uncommon example of Nixon’s “afffection” for press, plus a fine example of the “six degrees of separation” theory.
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