This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Becoming President after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson launched his "Great Society" agenda and pushed through Congress a whirlwind of liberal legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1965. There can be no better symbol of those times of governmental activism than LBJ's ubiquitous pen, which in this case, was far mightier than any sword in affecting social change and ensuring civil liberties. One of the bills that came to his desk for his signature was the Bail Bond Act, which passed the House on June 7, 1966 and was enacted into law on June 22 at a White House signing ceremony with LBJ and Congressional leaders. The bill guaranteed bail for those arrested and charged with a crime. This handsome framed display includes the particulars of the bill, a black & white photo of LBJ surrounded by Senators and Congressmen handing out one of the pens with which he signed the bill to N.Y. Rep. Emanuel Cellar, then Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. One of those precious blue pens is mounted to the right of the photo bearing a facsimile LBJ signature and the words "The White House." Included is a typed letter to Cellar on White House stationery, dated June 8, 1966 in which LBJ thanks him for ushering the bill through. Johnson signed the letter in black fountain pen, and the near perfect 10 signature is one of the best.