Lot 166

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Description:

Lyndon B. Johnson TLS to Walter Winchell Re: Greek-Owned U.S. Ships Redirecting Contraband into "Communist hands"

A 1p typed letter signed by then junior U.S. Senator from Texas and future 36th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) as "Lyndon B Johnson" at center. Written in Washington, D.C. on January 17, 1951 on "United States Senate / Committee on Armed Services" letterhead. Senator Johnson sent this letter to syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972), who has returned the letter to Johnson, inscribing it: "Dear Senator. Thanks very much again. Happy New Year" near the upper center. Expected light paper folds, and incomplete pencil marks and erasures scattered throughout, especially in the corners. Else very good to near fine. 7.875" x 10.375." Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from JSA (James Spence Authentication) dated July 14, 2020.

Winchell, a longtime reporter for the Hearst publication "The New York Daily Mirror," had contacted Johnson regarding the itinerary of the "S.S. Nestos." Johnson had access to confidential information, having been a member on the Armed Services Committee since 1949 and the chair of the Preparedness Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee since 1950.

Johnson wrote Winchell in part: "…I confirmed with the officials here that the SS Nestos was destined for Calcutta -- not Canton [modern day Guangzhou, China]. It contained commodities purchased by the Indian Supply Mission in Washington, and as far as I can learn, the cargo couldn't possibly get into Communist hands…"

Winchell was sniffing out a scoop that would burst open in May 1951 in an expose published by rival reporter Drew Pearson (1897-1969). Stories had surfaced that Greek-owned shipping interests were buying American manufactured ships on credit, and then using them to transport contraband goods to Communist-controlled countries like the Soviet Union, China, Manchuria, and Romania. The "S.S. Nestos," formerly the "Mary Lyon," was one such vessel, purchased by Greek shipping magnate Stavros G. Livanos (1891-1963) (father-in-law of Aristotle Onassis.) Pearson alleged that the Greeks were benefiting from American anti-Communist containment policies on the one hand, all while smuggling goods to America's greatest enemies on the other. In the case of the "S.S. Nestos" in late 1950 / early 1951, Senator Johnson maintained that the ship was destined for newly independent India, not the People's Republic of China.

Lyndon B. Johnson would serve in the U.S. Senate between 1949 and 1961; as U.S. Vice President between 1961-1963; and as U.S. President between 1963-1969.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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