Description
Signed photograph of President Ronald Reagan and the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Edward J. Perkins. Signature of Ronald Reagan is autopen.
Framed with blue matte, measures 12″ x 14″. This photograph was taken in May of 1987, after a briefing in the Oval Office on the economic and political situation in South Africa. Not examined outside of frame.
Dr. Edward J. Perkins (1928-2020) served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as Liberia, South Africa, and Australia throughout his 25-year foreign service career. In 1986 President Ronald Reagan appointed Perkins to serve as ambassador to South Africa in hopes of fending off a congressional override to his veto of economic sanctions against the country. It was a controversial decision amidst apartheid in South Africa, and many Black leaders urged Perkins to not take the role. Perkins accepted the position and served until 1989, one year before Nelson Mandela was released from prison. He was appointed U.N. Ambassador by George H.W. Bush in 1992, serving for one year.
