[Bush, Barbara] 7 items incl 4 ALSs by Barbara Bush to Rex Scouten and 3 notes by Barbara Bush handwritten below the text of letters given to her by Rex Scouten. Provenance: Rex Scouten Collection of White House Americana. Scouten served 10 Presidents from Truman to Clinton, including time as a Secret Service agent, Chief Usher of the White House, and White House Curator.
++ “Dear Rex- I am so sorry - but I really cannot joint Mrs. Johnson on the 19th. We are so booked this fall… no pun meant… with the book tours and other commitments, please forgive me. As you know I love the White House and Mrs. Johnson. Our best to me and all at the White House - Warmly - Barbara Bush.” Walker’s Point cardstock. ++ “January 18th 1994/ Dear Rex- I raced down to our silver closet and looked and think I found the lost articles … although the bud vases don’t seem to be a pair- they are the only bud vases in the closet. All is well with the Bush family. Margaret and Marshall are coming for the weekend- Theo Doro and baby Robert the next weekend. I am very excited about both visits. I miss both those families. I see Neil, Sharon & children often and George W. (running for governor at Houston (Texas) is important./ My love to all your shop. Hope this solves your problem- Barbara Bush.” On the verso, she crossed out the printed Bush Quayle ‘92 Primary Committee notice and wrote in “to thrifty- to throw.” ++ “Dear Rex- I just ran across your note of August 1st 1989 note to me- enclosed. It was in a box with Lauren’s handprint, mold. I know the George Bush Library Center, would love the rest If David still has them. I am sorry that this was ignored for so long./ I spoke yesterday at the Nixon Library. I can’t tell you how worried I was to be there on that special day. The audience was made up of people who loved Dick and Pat Nixon and it was a celebration. He died later in the day- Our best to your whole office- warmly- Barbara Bush.” Barbara Bush's personal letterhead. ++ “Dear Rex- I loved A. Joy’s note and have tried not to spit on the pictures!/ I think I’d like george’s May- He’s an excellent painter and seems nice. Love to all- In haste - Barbara (Bush)/ Nov. 3rd 1993.” Barbara Bush’s cardstock. On verso’s right edge, the credit line (Paid for by the Bush-Quayle ‘92 Primary Committee, Inc.) is crossed out. Orig envelope has Houston postmark/return address. ++TLS by Scouten to Barbara Bush about a gift of 300-400 books from the American Bookseller’s Association, published over the last 30 years. June 2, 1989, White House letterhead. Barbara Bush’s handwritten reply: “Let me ponder on this - I give to the Library in K’port, Maine, but maybe we can think of a different group… a more rural group.” ++ TNS by Scouten to Barbara Bush about “these Cezannes.” June 5, 1989, White House letterhead. Barbara Bush’s handwritten reply: “I’d like to see that over g.B.’s desk in upstairs studs for a trial- I like that painting.” ++ TNS by Scouten to Barbara Bush about the tradition of propogating seedlings, going back to the Johnson years. White House letterhead, Apr. 17, 1991. Barbara Bush’s handwritten reply: “Yes. That is so nice of you.” Barbara Bush considered it unnecessary to sign the replies she jotted on Scouten’s letters, which were presumably given to her at the White House without the use of mail. ++ Near fine. ALSs are 12mo. Scouten’s TLSs with Barbara Bush’s handwritten replies are 4to.