- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Stories
Lot 73:
Description
Lyndon B. Johnson (American, 1908-1973) and Lady Bird Johnson (American, 1912-2007). Inscribed and signed color photograph. The formal portrait shows the President and First Lady standing in a White House room before a fireplace and an oval portrait of George Washington. The photograph was presented to Peter Benchley, who served as a speechwriter for President Johnson from 1967 until 1969. Benchley later gained international fame as the author of the 1974 novel Jaws. Inscribed in blue-black ink in the lower margin: For Peter Benchley – with our appreciation and wishes for the most joyous Christmas! Lady Bird Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson December 1968. Sight: 9 3/8 x 6 1/2 in. Frame: 15 x 12 in.
Provenance: Exhibited in From the White House to the Deep Ocean: LBJ, Jaws and Conservation, held at the LBJ Presidential Library, Austin, Texas, from April 19 through October 19, 2025.
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Condition report:
The photograph shows significant color shifting and fading, resulting in an overall greenish-yellow cast across the image. The signatures and handwritten inscription are well-preserved and remain clearly legible. The wooden frame exhibits minor surface wear and small abrasions at the corners.
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