E. Frederic Morrow Papers, First African American to Hold Executive Position in White House

An extensive, 22 piece archive consisting of 20 pages of correspondence and two books related to E. Frederic Morrow (1909-1994), the first African American to hold an executive position in the White House, specifically as part of Eisenhower's administration. Notable correspondents include Presidents Eisenhower, Johnson, and Nixon, as well as Senator Robert Kennedy (secretarial signature) and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller.

Everett Frederic Morrow served as Administrative Officer for Special Projects between 1955 and 1961, and would later become Vice President of the Bank of America's New York branch. During Morrow's time with Eisenhower, the White House Historical Association notes several pivotal moments for the Civil Rights movement, mainly the "Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. the Board of Education ruling, the Montgomery bus boycott, and the Little Rock crisis…" as a "backdrop for [his] White House years". Throughout his political career, Morrow urged the White House and the Republican Party to champion racial integration and equal rights, notably speaking out on the difficulties he faced in trying to accomplish this mission. In turn, Morrow authored several autobiographical works in which he discusses racism on both a personal and professional level, including Black Man in the White House (1963), Way Down South Up North (1973) and Forty Years a Guinea Pig: A Black Man's View From the Top (1980).

Overall condition is very good, with varying degrees of toning, creasing, minor residue and evidence of prior matting to some correspondence present throughout. Please see below and accompanying images for further information on contents and general state of materials. An incredibly unique collection!

The archive consists of:

1.) Books

    a.) White House Staff Book 1953-61. [1961]. Unpaginated, no. 68 of an unstated limited edition. A retrospective of the Eisenhower presidency, includes the names, positions, and photographs of White House Staff who served the administration, with biographies given to those of higher ranking positions. Morrow is one of only two African American men listed, and the only one with a biography. 
    b.) Black Man in the White House by E. Frederic Morrow. New York: Conrad-McCann, Inc., (1963). 308pp. A first edition copy of Morrow's memoirs from his time as Administrative Officer for Special Projects on the Eisenhower Administration. Dust jacket not retained, slight discoloration to endpapers with sticker residue on back cover. Address label for Louis V. Cole present on both front and back endpapers.

2.) Correspondence

    a.) Dwight D. Eisenhower
        â—‹ TLS, dated December 27, 1955. Addressed “To the Members of the White House Staff” sending appreciation and good faith for the new year.
        â—‹ ALS from Mamie Eisenhower, dated October 26, 1955. Thanking Morrow for his "wonderful message of concern over the President's health" after Eisenhower's heart attack one month prior.
        â—‹ TLS, dated April 17, 1957. Brief letter from Eisenhower sending premature birthday wishes and signed “D.E.”
        â—‹ TLS from Eisenhower’s personal secretary Ann Whitman, dated Mary 28, 1959. Reads in part: “You can see what an ivory tower I live in—until your note arrived I did not know that the Ambassador-designate was your brother [John H. Morrow].”
        â—‹ TLS, dated May 29, 1959. Eisenhower references the previous note sent to Ann regarding Morrow’s brother.
        â—‹ TLS on monogramed White House letterhead, dated April 17, 1959. Sending birthday wishes and signed “D.E.”.
        â—‹ TLS on monogramed White House letterhead, dated April 15, 1960. Sending birthday wishes and signed “D.E.”.
        â—‹ TLS on monogramed letterhead, dated October 31, 1963. Eisenhower thanks Morrow for sending a copy of his new book, Black Man in the White House.
        â—‹ TLS on monogramed letterhead, dated July 3, 1967. Eisenhower sends congratulations on Morrow’s promotion to Vice President of Bank of America.

    b.) Robert F. Kennedy
        â—‹ TLS on Attorney General stationary, dated February 6, 1964. Reads in part: “The next time you are in Washington please feel free to call my office. We will be glad to arrange a tour of the FBI for you…”. Framed to the overall size of 7.75” x 9.75”.
        â—‹ TLS on U.S. Senate letterhead, dated August 11, 1967. Kennedy sends congratulations to Morrow’s promotion to Vice President of Bank of America.

    c.) Lyndon B. Johnson
        â—‹ TLS, dated March 24, 1965. Written three days after the Montgomery march and nine days after his speech to Congress on voting rights: “I want you to know my appreciation is very personal—and very great… I assure you our efforts will continue without ceasing, until justice prevails.” Attractively mounted and displayed to the overall size of 9” x 12”.
        â—‹ TLS, dated June 11, 1965. Reads in part: “At the core of the American creed is the sense of fairness and a passion for justice. What I said at Howard was really a restatement of the American dream and a reassessment of the American hope…”. Mounted on verso to stiff board.

    d.) Richard Nixon
        â—‹ TLS, dated August 21, 1968. Sending thanks for Morrow’s support of his campaign declaring: “This year are a going to win!”. Signed “Dick Nixon” at conclusion.
        â—‹ TLS from Nixon’s personal secretary Rose Mary Woods, dated November 23, 1968. Written just a few weeks after Nixon's electoral victory: “You may be sure all of us will try our best to continue to be worthy of the faith and trust the President-Elect has placed in us.”.
        â—‹ TLS on White House letterhead, dated April 9, 1973. Nixon sends thanks to Morrow for sending a copy of his recent book Way Down South Up North, marked "personal" at top and signed “RN” at conclusion.

    e.) Nelson Rockefeller
        â—‹ TLS, dated November 12, 1971. Reads in part: “I am delighted that you have agreed to serve as one of the initial Members of the Council of the newly established Empire State College…”.
        â—‹ TLS, dated December 18, 1974. Rockefeller sends thanks for Morrow’s support, written on the eve of his swearing-in as Vice President.

    f.) John Lindsay, Mayor of New York
        â—‹ TLS, dated June 9, 1967. Lindsay sends thanks for a donation Morrow sent to the mayor’s office, with autographed numbers in pencil on verso.
        â—‹ TLS, dated August 14, 1967. Brief letter sending thanks and good wishes.
        â—‹ ALS, undated. Sending thanks and best wishes for Christmas and the new year.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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