International Center for Journalists – ICFJ's Presidential Collection
Auction Ends: Nov 11, 2012 12:00 AM EST

Art

Farewell to Nixon, White House, August 9, 1974 (limited edition, framed photo)

Item Number
119
Estimated Value
2000 USD
Sold
2500 USD to Live Event Bidder
Number of Bids
1  -  Bid History

Live Event Item

After the online close, this item went to a Live Event for further bidding. Absentee Bidding offered.

Item Description

This iconic photo of a disgraced president is one for the history books. Richard Nixon had just resigned, and photojournalist David Hume Kennerly captured his grim farewell wave to a crowd of well-wishers on the White House lawn. The military helicopter would carry Nixon – the only U.S. president ever to quit the office – to a long political exile.

Nixon knew he faced near-certain impeachment and then conviction. The charges stemmed from his 1972 re-election campaign and a botched break-in of the Democratic headquarters in Washington’s Watergate Hotel. The scandal marred his second term from the start, despite considerable foreign policy successes that included strengthening relations with China and the Soviet Union.

“This was one of the darkest days in U.S. political history,” Kennerly said, “and one of the most dramatic moments in my career as a photographer.” Vice President Gerald Ford – who watched Nixon depart from the South Lawn – was sworn into office that same day. The day after, Kennerly would become the official White House photographer of the Ford administration.

Item Special Note

This framed photo is signed and numbered by Kennerly. It is a 16" by 20" archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta paper.