Signed Typescript

This distant cousin and namesake of Abraham Lincoln's mother was called "the mother of a million artists," for she laid the groundwork for the 1964 creation of the National Endowment for the Arts, of which she was named director in 1969 (along with the National Council on the Arts), serving until 1977; under her direction this agency dramatically increased its budget and influence. Signed photocopies typescript, 21pp (rectos only), 8½" X 11", n.p. (Durham, NC), 1971 June 7. Near fine. Staple holes at upper left of each page. Copy of Hanks's Duke University Commencement Address, titled ".and I lived with it for the rest of my life" -- signed boldly by Hanks in black fineline near the top of the first page. Enjoyable and of course inspirational speech, double spaced, naturally stressing the place of the arts in everyday life. Quite unusual. From the collection of noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar ARNOLD F. GATES (1914-93).