PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD - PRESIDENTIAL OATH SIGNED - HFSID 27290

GERALD R. FORD
Gerald R. Ford signs a copy of his presidential oath in black ink.
Presidential Oath of Office signed: "Gerald R. Ford", 1p, 8½x11. In full: "I, Gerald R. Ford, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." President Nixon's letter of resignation was received by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at 11:35 A.M. on August 9, 1974. Gerald R. Ford, Vice President since December 6, 1973, writes about what happened next in A Time to Heal, The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford: "At eleven forty-five, I left my Vice Presidential office in the Executive Office Building and walked over to the Red Room of the White House, where Betty was waiting for me. Minutes later, we were escorted into the East Room, which was filled to overflowing...A military aide announced the arrival of Chief Justice Burger. As I waited for the proceedings to begin, I felt a sense of awe. It was different from the feeling I'd had when I took my oath as a member of Congress in 1949 or even as Vice President in 1973. At this historic moment, I was aware of kinship with my predecessors. It was almost as if all of America's past Presidents were praying for me to succeed. Chief Justice Burger cut into my reverie. 'Mr. Vice President,' he asked, 'are you prepared to take the oath of office as President of the United States?' Betty was holding the Bible. I placed my hand on it, repeated the oath...." Ford took his oath at 12:03 P.M., August 9, 1974. At the time, former President Richard Nixon was flying aboard Air Force One on his way back home to California. Lightly creased. Stray ink mark at right of lower edge. Otherwise, fine condition.