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Document 254446

BARBARA BUSH
The wife of the newly elected President feels a luxury tax on all items over $1000 would be a good way to alleviate the national deficit but adds "but then I wasn't elected".
TLS: "Barbara" as wife of the President-elect, 1p, 6½x8½. On her stationery printed "Barbara Bush" in top center. Red, white and blue border. On verso is printed "Paid For By George Bush for President". (Washington), 1988 December 21. To Madelin (Mrs. Thayer) Gilpatric, Park Avenue, New York. In full: "Thank you for your letter. I was delighted to forward your letter to George, and I know he would want me to convey his appreciation for your shared thoughts on ways to help alleviate our national deficit. You were so kind to write." In a handwritten postscript, Mrs. Bush adds: "I agree with you on the luxury tax...but then I wasn't elected. [large smiley face added]". Fine condition. With typescript of Gilpatric's letter to President-elect Bush. 1p, 7¼x10. Dated 1988 November 19. On verso of stationery from "The Red Carpet Club", unsigned. In part: "We have the cheapest gasoline in the world and if we put a 10¢ tax on each gallon it would go a long way to help the deficit. Also a luxury tax on all items over $1,000. As your wife will tell you, the ladies in New York and other places who pay $2,000 to $15,000 for their dresses and also those who buy jewels, paintings, etc. would also help a great deal to contribute. A higher tax on hard liquor and more on cigarettes is also a must...." Lightly creased, staple holes in upper left blank corner. Overall, fine condition. Accompanied by typescript of Gilpatric's letter forwarding her letter to the President-elect to Barbara. 1p, 7¼x10. Dated 28 November 1988. On verso of stationery of "The Pasadena Hilton", unsigned. In part: "Knowing the volume of mail you are getting, I very much want to have you see the enclosed. Hope that we can get together one of these days in New York or Washington...." Lightly creased, staple holes in upper left blank corner, stray ink marks in lower left blank margin. Overall, fine. George Bush was elected 41st President six weeks earlier on November 8, 1988. Nineteen-year-old Bronx-born Barbara Pierce had married 20-year-old George Herbert Walker Bush on January 6, 1945 in Rye, New York. The couple had six children: George Walker (born 1946, now President), Robin (1949-1953), John Ellis "Jeb" (born 1953, now Governor of Florida), Neil Mallon (born 1955), Marvin Pierce (born 1956) and Dorothy Pierce (born 1959). Barbara proved invaluable over her husband's long political career and championed literacy during her four years as First Lady. On January 10, 1999, George and Barbara Bush passed John and Abigail Adams' record of 54 years and three days to become the longest married presidential couple. Barbara Bush is the only First Lady to be present at the presidential inauguration of her son. Abigail Adams had died six and a half years before her son, John Quincy Adams, became President. Three items.

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