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Ronald Reagan

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:3,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Ronald Reagan

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Auction Date:2017 Aug 09 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Glass jar emblazoned with the presidential seal and Reagan's facsimile signature, measuring 5.5? tall and 4? in diameter, given by President Reagan to Amy Benham, a terminally ill seven-year-old girl who lit the White House Christmas tree on December 15, 1983. The jar is housed in its original blue box, also emblazoned with the presidential seal and facsimile signature, and the jelly bean bag inside remains sealed. Includes an original White House guest pass used by Amy and her mother while attending the event. In fine condition, with light wear to the box and some cracks to the box's inner plastic lining. Accompanied by several news clippings chronicling Amy's visit to the White House, and a DVD with video footage of the tree lighting and news coverage; she is seen holding the box of jelly beans in one of the interviews.

When physicians diagnosed Amy Benham with Hodgkin's disease in May 1983, her parents asked her to choose three wishes: one of these was the opportunity to help President Reagan light the White House Christmas tree. She wrote a letter to the Make-A-Wish Foundation with the request, which was granted when President Reagan invited Amy to the White House that December. The president allowed Amy to flip the switch that turned on the 500 lights festooned on the 30-foot Colorado blue spruce placed on the White House grounds for the season. This event was not only a highlight in Amy's short life, but an important public relations move for Reagan as he began to gear up for the upcoming 1984 election. The photo-op with Benham helped Reagan appear more endearing to voters, and he would go on to secure one of the most lopsided victories in electoral history that fall. A touching and poignant memento from the Reagan White House.