A 1p typed letter signed by sitting 36th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) as "Lyndon B . Johnson near center. January 19, 1966. [Washington, D.C.] On a leaf of watermarked stationery with "The White House / Washington" embossed at the letterhead. Docketed at upper left. Expected wear including minor toning to the center of the document, flattened paper folds, and staple marks at upper left. The letterhead has been partly underlined with red colored pencil. Else near fine. 6.75" x 8.875." Accompanied by an auction invoice from University Archives (then in their Westport, Connecticut offices), dated November 8, 2002.

President Johnson addressed this letter to newly elected Democratic West Virginia Governor Hulett C. Smith (1918-2023), who assumed the gubernatorial mantle from William Wallace Barron in January 1965 and would serve one term, until January 1969. In part:

"It was good of you to let me know your impressions of my State of the Union Address, which were both valuable and constructive.

It is heartening for me to hear that the Governor of the great state of West Virginia feels that this Administration's program is indeed a constructive one. My appreciation for your support…"

The exact Johnson Administration program referred to in the letter is unclear. Evidence strongly suggests, however, that Governor Smith was referring to part of Johnson's War on Poverty legislation or Great Society domestic initiatives. Rolled out in 1964-1965, the War on Poverty and Great Society aimed at eradicating poverty, racism, and social inequality, and addressing shortfalls in education, health, and medicine. Johnson had mentioned both the War on Poverty and Great Society in his 1966 State of the Union Address delivered before Congress on January 12, 1966. In this address, Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to "prosecut[ing] with vigor and determination our war on poverty" in order to lift America's rural and urban economically distressed--the "nation within a Nation"--out of poverty. Johnson remained steadfast in his beliefs that America could "build[] a Great Society here at home" through strategic development and modernization.

Governor Smith of West Virginia would have been interested in the geographically targeted approach of Johnson's domestic programs. Appalachia had long been identified as one of the poorest parts of America. Johnson had urged expanding economic infrastructure, medical care and access, and educational programs in these areas as early as 1964. His "Appalachia development program" advocated for billions of dollars to be spent improving highways, water treatment facilities, sewage plants, and dams, and promoting agriculture, timber extraction, and the coal industry. Just two months later, in mid-March 1966, Johnson welcomed nine state governors from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama to the White House to discuss the Appalachian Regional Commission Annual Report of 1965. His "Special Meeting with Appalachian Governors" included West Virginia Governor Hulett C. Smith. (For more information, please see LBJ Presidential Library, President's Daily Diary, March 12, 1966, p. 2-4.)

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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