Lot 75
  • 75

McNamara, Robert S.

Estimate
1,500 - 2,500 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • vellum, paper, ink
A group of three documents relating to Mr. McNamara's employment with the Ford Motor Company and the U.S. government.

Ford Motor Company. Commemorative Retirement Calligraphic Document rendered in gold and black ink on art vellum (10 x 7 3/8 in.; 250 x 185 mm), [Detroit], 11 January 1961, signed by Henry Ford II, Chairman, and and 15 other members of the Board of Directors. Blue leather  paneled in blind, McNamara's name lettered gilt on the front cover, beige moiré guards; spine slight rubbed. Blue leather slipcase; rubbed. — Department of Defense. Commemorative Retirement Document rendered in a calligraphic hand, 2 sheets of art vellum (10 1/4 x 8 in.; 265 x 200 mm), [Washington, D.C., ca. 29 February 1968], the first sheet quoting lines 43-47 of the General Prologue to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales ("A Knight ther was ..."), the second sheet bearing the signatures of 47 of Secretary McNamara's colleagues. The sheets secured in a blue calf portfolio by blue satin ribbons in the corners, the front cover stamped with McNamara's name, title, and dates of office; spine dry and rubbed, joints cracked. — Printed document accomplished and signed by Robert S. McNamara ("Robert S. McNamara"), one page (10 1/2 x 8 in.; 265 x 200 mm), being a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests for the U.S. Civil Service, n.p., 7 July 1965.

Condition

Ford Motor Company. Commemorative Retirement Calligraphic Document rendered in gold and black ink on art vellum (10 x 7 3/8 in.; 250 x 185 mm), [Detroit], 11 January 1961, signed by Henry Ford II, Chairman, and and 15 other members of the Board of Directors. Blue leather paneled in blind, McNamara's name lettered gilt on the front cover, beige moiré guards; spine slight rubbed. Blue leather slipcase; rubbed. — Department of Defense. Commemorative Retirement Document rendered in a calligraphic hand, 2 sheets of art vellum (10 1/4 x 8 in.; 265 x 200 mm), [Washington, D.C., ca. 29 February 1968], the first sheet quoting lines 43-47 of the General Prologue to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales ("A Knight ther was ..."), the second sheet bearing the signatures of 47 of Secretary McNamara's colleagues. The sheets secured in a blue calf portfolio by blue satin ribbons in the corners, the front cover stamped with McNamara's name, title, and dates of office; spine dry and rubbed, joints cracked. — Printed document accomplished and signed by Robert S. McNamara ("Robert S. McNamara"), one page (10 1/2 x 8 in.; 265 x 200 mm), being a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests for the U.S. Civil Service, n.p., 7 July 1965.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

"A Knight ther was, and that a worth man, | That fro the tyme that he first began ..." inscribed in a warm commemorative retirement document from the Department of Defense together with a similar commemorative from the Ford Motor Company and a statement regarding Mr. McNamara's employment with the U.S. Government ("Sec. of Defense") and his financial holdings dated 1965.