When I was a 14 year old boy attending (as an already active political memorabilia collector) the 1972 Republican National Convention in Miami, I sat in the galleries on the last night listening to President Nixon's and Vice President Agnew's acceptance speeches. I was somewhat distracted by my desire to rush onto the floor when the chairman gaveled the convention adjourned sine die (trivia alert: the chairman was Michigan Congressman Gerald Ford) and grab for my collection one of the official state standards. Despite my best effort, I was unsuccessful. As soon as the convention ended, delegates on the floor grabbed for the banners and carted them off before I could make it onto the floor. I recall my dismay at seeing some of the banners torn into thirds, with the individual pieces distributed to delegates—a desecration in the eyes of a political collector.
I have spent the last 54 years lamenting that I never obtained one of those banners from the first national convention that I ever attended. Imagine my excitement last week when, in cruising online auction listings, I saw up for auction the original Michigan state banner from that very convention! What made the moment even more delicious is that the seller—Jason Roe—is my former political director and chief of staff! Jason's father was Jerry Roe, the executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, who brought the standard home and stored it in his warehouse until his death a few years ago. I knew that Jason had been selling off pieces of his Dad's collection to pay for his son Jackson's college education, but I never thought to ask if he happened to have the 1972 state convention standard.
Aside from our professional connections, Jason remains one of my closest friends; I am godfather to his son Jackson. I could have called Jason and told him that I wanted the banner and he would have sent it to me without charge. I decided to seek the banner the right way: bid on it without telling Jason (my online auction name does not reflect my identity). If I lost, I wouldn't tell Jason, because he would have been sad that I didn't get it; if I won, I would land a treasured piece of memorabilia that I have sought for over half a century--and also be able to contribute to my godson's college fund.
Today the sale closed and—Eureka! I won it fair and square. This is one of those perfect examples where the buyer can tell the seller the item is going to a very good home.
Even better: I have been donating large parts of my collection to Hillsdale College in Michigan, where they rotate displays of the thousands of items I have sent them thus far. At some point this will also reside at Hillsdale. It is fitting that a Michigan college will eventually become the repository for the 1972 GOP Michigan state standard.
Photo of the Michigan banner in use at the 1972 Republican National Convention, Miami
All's well that ends well.
* * * * *