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Lot 156

A NANCY REAGAN ARCHIVE OF LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND EPHEMERA.
REAGAN, NANCY. 1921-2016.
A collection of letters, photographs and ephemera of Ronald and Nancy Reagan from the estate of Erlenne Perkins Sprague, including:

14 October 2020, 13:00 EDT
New York

US$1,000 - US$2,000

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A NANCY REAGAN ARCHIVE OF LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND EPHEMERA.

REAGAN, NANCY. 1921-2016. A collection of letters, photographs and ephemera of Ronald and Nancy Reagan from the estate of Erlenne Perkins Sprague, including:

1. 3 Autograph Letters Signed ("Nancy"), 5 pp recto and verso, 8vo and 12mo, Pacific Palisades and Washington, DC, November 11, 1980 to November 29, 1986, to Erlenne Perkins Sprague, with original transmittal envelope (one letter on White House stationery delivered by messenger). The earliest letter is written just days after Reagan won the 1980 election: "I still can't believe this has all happened and I don't think I will until I see Ronnie being sworn in!"
2. Photograph Signed and Inscribed ("Nancy"), 8 x 10 inch color print of Nancy Reagan, Erlenne Perkins and Bonita Granville, n.d., White House photographer's stamp to verso, inscribed :"To Erlenne—/ With my love / Nancy."
3. A group of approximately 100 color print snapshots, most 4 x 4 inches, 1960s-80s, including images of social gatherings at the Reagan Ranch and elsewhere.
4. A collection of ephemera, including miscellaneous political correspondence, invitations, and campaign buttons.

Erlenne Estes Perkins Sprague (1922-2010) was a Texas-born model and actress who was married for many years to Voltaire Perkins, the lawyer who performed as the Judge for many years on TV's original Divorce Court. A prominent Los Angeles socialite and patron of the arts, she was a member of Nancy Reagan's inner circle, particularly after she was widowed and remarried Dr. Norman Sprague, Jr. in 1981. The candid photographs included here are charming: the party at the Reagan Ranch includes a hearty barbeque and a ride in an open buggy.

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