FIRST LADY LADY BIRD JOHNSON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/15/1979 - HFSID 297283

LADY BIRD JOHNSON
The First Lady writes to actress Celeste Holm declining an invitation to attend a benefit for the Creative Arts Rehabilitation Center.
Typed Letter signed: "and fondly/Lady Bird", 1 page, 7¼x10½. Stonewall, Texas, 1979 March 15. On letterhead of the LBJ Ranch and written to actress Celeste Holm. In full: "Dear Celeste: How I would love to see "The Utter Glory of Morrisey Hall" and add my bit of support to the Creative Arts Rehabilitation Center! It sounds like a gala evening, and I shall be hoping for a tremendous success - both for the play and the benefit. Alas, my answer must once again be a disap-pointing one. I have long had plans for an Aegean Cruise sponsored by The Smithsonian. On April 22nd I shall be far across the seas - but my affectionate thoughts will be winging your way. With thanks for your thoughtfulness and warmest wishes, Sincerely, "Born Claudia Alta Taylor, "Lady Bird" (1912-2007) received her nickname after the family nursemaid, Alice Tittle, remarked that the baby of Thomas and Minnie Taylor was "as purty as a little lady bird". On November 6, 1934, she married Lyndon Baines Johnson in San Antonio, Texas. Lady Bird was a shrewd businesswoman who parlayed a small inheritance into a multimillion-dollar fortune in addition to raising the couple's two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines. Both married while their father was President (1963-1969) and Lady Bird was pursuing an active role as First Lady (she is best known for actively promoting national beautification projects). Following her husband's term, the Johnsons returned to their Texas ranch, where LBJ died in 1973 (the couple had been married for 39 years and 66 days at the time of his death). On December 22, 2006, Mrs. Johnson celebrated her 94th birthday; she died in July 2007. Among First Ladies, only Bess Truman, who died at 97 in 1982, has lived longer. In 1943, Rodgers and Hammerstein cast Celeste Holm (1917-2012) as soubrette Ado Annie in Oklahoma!; and soon after won an Academy Award for her performance in Gentlemen's Agreement (1947). Normal mailing fold. Fine condition.