Album of Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson Letters and Related Materials

A group of approximately 30 typed letters and memos signed by LBJ, (1961-1972) including one dated 26 March 1964 and marked "Top Secret" regarding "Instructions for Expenditure of Nuclear Weapons in Emergency Conditions," and 4 copies of memoranda to the President 1964-1966 with attendant brochures regarding the Department of Defense Cost Reduction Program (one torn-out sheet annotated by McNamara), a luncheon place card signed by LBJ and annotated by McNamara "Glassboro Conference, 23 June 1967"; 2 dinner menus; 20 typed letters and notes signed  by Lady Bird Johnson (1965-1982), 2 typed letters signed by Lucy Johnson Nugent (1969 and 1973); and 2 undated autograph letters signed by Lynda Bird Johnson and one undated autograph note signed by the same. Also a typed  carbon memorandum, on Secretary of Defense letterhead signed in type by Robert McNamara  and marked "Eyes Only," 3 August 1964, assuring the President that Jackie Kennedy was not encouraging RFK to run for the Vice Presidency and that she bore the President no ill-will. Content of other letters is chiefly personal, primarily thank-you notes for birthday gifts and Christmas greetings. Some of President Johnson's signatures are autopen or secretarial.  Housed in plastic sleeves within a vinyl binder.

"You are really a first-rate team in the Federal family. As I count my blessings on each passing birthday, I count you and Bob among the first and foremost: you, because of your charming wit and selfless, understanding nature—and Bob, because of the endless and enduring good he daily brings this land. You are really a first-rate team in the Federal family." So wrote LBJ to Marge McNamara on 31 August 1967. In spite of McNamara's growing differences with the President's policies regarding Vietnam, he and his wife maintained a warm relationship with LBJ until his death and with Lady Bird well after that. Lady Bird wrote to the McNamaras on 24 January 1974: "Lyndon valued your friendship, your loyalty and your devotion through the years—and it is especially gratifying that you honor his memory by helping to perpetuate so many of his dreams and hopes for the Library. you are so much a part of it—and of his Administration."