GEORGE C. WALLACE - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 89123

GEORGE C. WALLACE
Color publicity photograph of George C. Wallace as he began his last gubernatorial campaign.
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To My friend/David Coxon/Best Wishes/George C. Wallace". Color, 8x10. Captioned: "Kickoff Rally - May 22, 1982". George C. Wallace (1919-1998) was Governor of Alabama from 1963-1967, 1971-1979 and 1983-1987. Governor Wallace was the leading opponent of integration in the United States in the 1960s, declaring: "Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." On June 11, 1963, he stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama to prevent two black students from entering. He moved aside when the National Guard, ordered there by President Kennedy, accompanied the students. Wallace was the Presidential nominee of the American Independent Party in 1968, winning 46 Electoral Votes from five southern states. Wallace again sought the Democratic nomination for President in 1972. While campaigning in Maryland, he survived an assassination attempt but was permanently paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. He placed third in the voting at the Democratic National Convention in 1972, fourth in 1976. As he grew older, Wallace disavowed his old segregationist positions; he received many black votes and endorsements in his last campaign for Governor, and appointed African Americans to many key posts. This photograph was taken as he began this last gubernatorial campaign. Fine condition.