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1996 President Bill Clinton White House Birthday Letter to Wayne Gretzky - Signed \"Bill Clinton\" - PSA/DNA Certified Authentic - Certification No. 85946379
Description:
Dated January 17, 1996, this White House letter was sent by President Bill Clinton to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky with birthday wishes from Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. Typed on White House stationery, the letter is addressed to Gretzky at The Forum, 3900 West Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, California.
The letter concludes with a prominent \"Bill Clinton\" signature beneath the closing \"Sincerely.\"
Full transcription:
\"January 17, 1996
Wayne Gretzky
The Forum
3900 West Manchester Boulevard
Inglewood, California 90306
Dear Wayne:
Happy Birthday! Hillary and I send
our very best wishes for a wonderful
day and for a healthy and happy year
ahead.
Sincerely,
Bill Clinton\"
The letter exhibits substantial age-related toning and discoloration, with more pronounced staining visible on the reverse. Despite these condition characteristics, the White House heading, typed correspondence, and signature remain readily legible. The document is professionally encapsulated, with both sides visible through the holder.
Historical Context:
The letter was written during Bill Clinton\'s first term as President of the United States and just nine days before Wayne Gretzky\'s 35th birthday on January 26, 1996. At the time, Gretzky was nearing the conclusion of his celebrated tenure with the Los Angeles Kings. He was traded by Los Angeles to the St. Louis Blues on February 27, 1996, making this letter an especially interesting artifact from the final weeks of his career with the Kings.
Already universally recognized in hockey as \"The Great One,\" Gretzky had established himself as the sport\'s dominant offensive record-setter. His remarkable NHL career ultimately concluded with 894 regular-season goals, 1,963 assists, and 2,857 points. The direct correspondence between a sitting United States president and one of hockey\'s most historically significant players gives this piece an unusual intersection of presidential and sports history.
Authentication & Encapsulation:
The letter is professionally authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA. The front label identifies the artifact as \"LETTER / BILL CLINTON / PSA/DNA CERTIFIED\" with an \"AUTHENTIC AUTO\" designation. PSA certification number 85946379 appears on the holder. The clear PSA encapsulation provides protection and presentation while allowing both sides of the original letter to remain visible.
- Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.
Closing Appeal:
An outstanding crossover between American presidential and professional sports history, this White House birthday letter directly connects President Bill Clinton with Wayne Gretzky during the closing weeks of Gretzky\'s Los Angeles Kings career. Its personal birthday message, White House origin, association with \"The Great One,\" Clinton signature, and PSA/DNA authentication make it a distinctive piece for collectors of presidential correspondence, historic autographs, and important hockey memorabilia.
Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.
