FIRST LADY NANCY DAVIS REAGAN - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 263462

NANCY DAVIS REAGAN
A signed black and white publicity photograph of the First Lady and the United States President greeting three men at the White House
Photograph inscribed and signed: "Dr. Ray Cline/ Best Wishes/ Nancy Reagan". B/w, 10x8 overall, image 9½x6¼ (one surface). President and Mrs. Reagan are pictured with three men. Dr. Cline is kissing Mrs. Reagan's hand. Dr. Ray Cline, former Deputy Director of the CIA, was one of President Reagan's close advisors. He chaired Reagan's U.S. Global Strategy Council. Nancy Davis Reagan (1921-2016) was an actress and First Lady who married U.S. President and actor Ronald Reagan in 1952. When both were actors, she noticed that her name was on the Hollywood blacklist, associating her with the Communist Party. An affiliation with the Communist Party would mean the end of her career, so she consulted with film director Mervyn LeRoy. LeRoy connected her with Screen Actors Guild President Ronald Reagan in 1949, who assured her that there were multiple actresses named Nancy Davis and that he would make sure her name was removed from the blacklist. As an actress, Nancy appeared in film and television roles including The Next Voice You Hear… (1950) and Hellcats of the Navy (1957). The latter film is the only film collaboration between Nancy and Ronald. The two also appeared in an episode of the Zane Grey Theatre (1956-1961) together in 1961. She became the First Lady of California (1967-1975) and the First Lady of the United States (1981-1989) as her husband became an elected official. In the White House, Nancy became an influential force. She renovated the White House and, following an assassination attempt in 1981, threw herself into protecting the President. Her influence on the decision-making process for the President was unprecedented. As First Lady, she also launched the “Just Say No” anti-drug program. Nancy Reagan was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. Tape remnants and pencil note on verso (no show through). Otherwise, fine condition.