Autograph Letters Signed In A Salute To The Constitution
U. S. A. 1987. Original. All letters are in sleeves and bound in a black 3-ring zipper binder. The Collection comprises 72 pages of letters signed by 46 governors (all but the governors of California, Delaware, Michigan and Oregon), including Bill Clinton, Mario Cuomo, Michael Dukakis, John Ashcroft, John Sununu and 41 others of varying political importance. Intended to constitute the prize in an essay contest in the bicentennial year of the drafting of the Constitution (but never given to any prize winner), this group of letters contains some impressively articulate and strongly felt sentiments (as well as some equally vapid and platitudinous utterances) about the fundamental document of American democracy.
In addition to the signatures, sentiments and aggregation, a collectible feature of these letters are the colorful and gilt state seals on the masthead of the stationary. A few leaves with slight foxing or discoloration from staples, paper clips, or envelop tabs, but generally in fine condition.
The letters, on official State stationery are in their original envelopes and there are duplicates of letters from AK, MI, PA and WA. There are also a dozen cover letters, seven of which are signed by governors.
The full list of state governors represented, listed alphabetically by state includes: (AK) Steve Cowper, (AL) Guy Hunt, (AR) Bill Clinton, (AZ) Evan Mecham, (CO) Roy Romer, (CT) William A. O’Neill, (FL) Bob Martinez (GA) Joe Frank Harris, (HI) John Waihee, (IA) Terry Branstad, (ID) Cecil D. Andrus, (IL) James R. Thompson, (IN) Robert D. Orr, (KS) Mike Hayden, (KY) Martha Layne Collins, (LA) Edwin W. Edwards, (MA) Michael S. Dukakis, (MD) William Donald Schaefer, (ME) John R. McKernan, Jr., (MN) Rudy Perpich, (MO) John Ashcroft, (MS) Bill Allain, (NE) Kay A. Orr, (NH) John H. Sununu, (NJ) Thomas H. Kean, (NM) Garrey Carruthers, (NV) Richard H. Bryan, (NY) Mario M. Cuomo, (OH) Richard F. Celeste, (OK) Henry Bellman, (PA) Robert P. Casey, (Puerto Rico) Rafael Hernandez Colon, (RI) Edward D. DiPrete, (SC) Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. (SD) George S. Mickelson, (TN) Ned Mc Wherter, (TX) William P. Clements, Jr., (UT) Norman H. Bangerter, (VA) Gerald L. Baliles, (Virgin Islands) Alexander A. Farrelly, (VT) Madeleine M. Kunin, (WA) Booth Gardner, (WI) Tommy G. Thompson, (WV) Arch A Moore, Jr., and (WY) Mike Sullivan. Fine. Item #2302
"The principles appropriate and necessary today as they were during that long, hot summer so many years ago in Philadelphia." - Bill Clinton.
Price: $1,950.00