White House Diary, Signed by Lady Bird Johnson to Lord and Lady Astor
[Signed Presentation to Lord and Lady Astor] Johnson, Lady Bird. A White House Diary. First Edition. 1970. Book and dust jacket are both in very good minus condition—there is foxing to the upper page edges and jacket shows mild soiling, a small chip to the upper spine, and a moderate chip to the back cover. Book is warmly inscribed, “For Lord and Lady Astor, ‘who brought life’ [to] centuries of history for us—May I share this moment of history with you, Lady Bird Johnson, July 15, 1973.”
What does Lady Bird Johnson have in common with Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves? All roamed the halls of Hever Castle. This historic residence in Kent was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. It remained in her family until the Boleyns fell out of favor with Henry VIII, at which time he seized it and gave it to his fourth, soon to be ex-wife, Anne of Cleves. She considered herself fortunate to have escaped her marriage to the temperamental monarch via annulment rather than execution. Alas, as Lady Bird wrote in the inscription, there was indeed centuries of history at this castle. It was purchased in 1903 by William Waldorf Astor, and at the time of Lady Bird’s Visit, was the home Astor’s grandson, Gavin Astor, the second Baron Astor of Hever.
“There was talk of President Eisenhower and his way of conducting business. There is nothing like getting in the job yourself to become more understanding of the men who had it before you! President Eisenhower has been very helpful, and I know Lyndon has lived to bless the days in the Senate when he cooperated with him with courtesy and respect.”
--Lady Bird Johnson