REAGAN, RONALD
Celeste Holm's Presidential Appointment to the National Arts Council, 1982. Washington: 22 December 1982. A finely printed document on vellum accomplished in manuscript appointing Celeste Holm to the National Arts Council, with large seal, the signature of Ronald Reagan (in autopen) and the added ink signature of Celeste Holm, 19 x 23 inches, Soft crease horizontal crease across the top; Together with three photographs, two bearing Reagan signatures. Includes two copies of a black and white photograph depicting Celeste Holm shaking hands with President Reagan, one signed; the third a color photograph depicting Ms. Holm and President Reagan in full length, with a signature in a shaky hand. Both signatures appear authentic but may be autopen signed and as sold as is.

From one Golden Age Hollywood star to another, it is no surprise that President Ronald Reagan would appoint Celeste Holm to a six year term on the National Arts Council. Highly charitable since a young age, Celeste Holm knew Ronald Reagan during the period when they were both young actors, this was an important aspect of his administration. President Reagan's appointment of Celeste Holm to the Council is a nod to this long shared history. Choreographer and longtime friend to Celeste Holm, Agnes De Mille, in a letter available elsewhere in this catalogue, reported being contacted by the F.B.I. regarding Ms. Holm's appointment, and she provided a poignant description of Ms. Holm's charitable work: "An intense and fervid liberal, she is on the side of justice, and with it freedom. She spares herself little in championing again and again and again those who need help. She is a fighting Samaritan." It is notable that President Reagan selected Celeste Holm for the post on the National Endowment of the Arts. As a former actor himself, , and Ms. Holm, with decades of charitable contribution with organizations such as the Actor's Fund behind her by this point, was an excellent selection for the post.