PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD - PRINTED NOTE SIGNED IN INK - HFSID 51158

GERALD R. FORD
Gerald R. Ford signs a printed note in black ink.
Printed Note signed: "Gerald R. Ford", to the left of printed signature, 6¼x4¼. Gilt imprint of the Presidential Seal at top center above the message: "I am very grateful that you, and many others like you, take the time to write in regard to certain requests, issues, or with your comments. Unfortunately, the nature of my schedule, other obligations, and the size of my staff preclude the time necessary to provide the thoughtful and substantive reply your correspondences requires. I hope the future provides me the time to, individually, answer some more correspondence. Until then, I thank you for your interest and understanding. Best wishes," On August 9, 1974, Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006) was sworn in as the nation's 38th President following the resignation of Richard Nixon. Ford had previously served as Nixon's Vice President (December 6, 1973-August 9, 1974) following the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew, becoming the only man to have held both of the nation's highest offices without being elected to either. Ford, who was previously a U.S. Congressman from Michigan (1949-1973; Minority Leader, 1965-1973), lost his bid for election to a full four-year term partially as a result of his controversial pardon of his predecessor. Ford, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999, celebrated his 93rd birthday on July 14, 2006. Before his death on December 26, 2006, Ford had surpassed Ronald Reagan (who also lived to age 93) as the longest-lived former U.S. President. Fine condition.