WALTER J. HICKEL - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 273672

WALTER J. HICKEL. Photograph signed: "Walter J Hickel/Gov. of Alaska". B/w, 8x10. Lightly creased at blank margins and corners, light black mark at lower right corner. Minor surface creases (most not evident head on), one at chin. Overall, fine condition. Accompanied by typed transmittal letter bearing imprinted signature of Hickel, 1p, 7¼10½. Form letter on letterhead of the State of Alaska, Office of the Governor to "Dear Cheechako". In full: "'Cheechako' means a newcomer to Alaskans, and although we may be a bit premature in calling you a 'Cheechako,' we sincerely hope some day you will find your way to our beautiful state where you will find a warm and hospitable welcome. Enclosed you will find the material we are most pleased to forward in reply to your request. With kind regards from a 'Sourdough,' a long-time Alaskan. Sincerely yours". Slightly creased. Lightly soiled at lower right corner. Fine condition. Walter Joseph Hickel (born in 1919), a native of Kansas, moved to Alaska in 1940 and led the fight for Alaskan statehood. He served as Governor of Alaska from 1966-1969 and from 1990-1994. Hickel, a WWII veteran who had served on the Republican National Committee from Alaska Territory (1954-1959) and the Republican National Committee from Alaska (1960-1964), had established a construction company that grew into a multi-million dollar business. A strong environmentalist, he was appointed U.S. Secretary of the Interior by President Richard M. Nixon. Hickel served from 1969-1970, being forced to resign after making critical statements about Nixon's hostility to anti-war demonstrators. Two items.