While everyone has seen this picture before (I've seen it on everything from t-shirts to posters) not many have seen the entire series from the famous meeting. Looking through the 28 photos you realize what an awkward encounter this was.
See Dick shake hands. See Dick smile. See Dick look confused as Elvis hands him autographed pictures of himself (his "gift" to the president.) Very odd.
Even better is the high-resolution pdf file of the original handwritten letter, on American Airlines in flight stationary, from Elvis to the Nixon.
"Dear Mr. President First I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley and admire you and Have Great Respect for your office. ...... Sir I can and will be of any Service that I can to help the country out. I have no concerns or motives other than helping the country out. So I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position, I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large, and I will help out by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and Foremost I am an entertainer but all I need is the Federal credentials."
I love the fact that Elvis wanted a badge? These were the nutty Karate years after all! The last page is a crazy list of every single phone number Elvis had, including 3 for the Colonel. Curious who answers those numbers when you call these days?
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