The Fine Art of Political Wit: Being a Lively Guide to the Artistic Inventive, Elegant Epithet, and Polished Impromptus as Well as the Gallant and Graceful Worldly With of Various British and American Politicians from the 18th Century Through Our Own Days of Grace. A Handbook for Piercing the Political Epidermis of Opponents

New York: Dutton, 1964. Later printing. From the library of film executive Jack Valenti with his White House bookplate and his annotations throughout. No doubt this book came in handy for Valenti who served, in part, as President Lyndon B. Johnson’s speechwriter. Both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson are included in the text. With a Certificate of Authenticity. Thin split to hinge, else a very good copy with a trace of edge wear in a lightly handled price-clipped dust jacket with some chips and tears. Jack Valenti (1921-2007) is best known in his long-time role as President of the Motion Picture Association of America from 1966 to 2004. During his 38 year position in the MPAA, Valenti created the MPAA film rating system which is still used today. In 1963, Valenti was in the John F. Kennedy motorcade in Dallas, and he is seen in the famous photograph of Lyndon Johnson being sworn in as President on Air Force One. Valenti flew back to Washington with Johnson and literally lived in the White House for two months helping Johnson take the reins of the presidency. He was the first special assistant to President Johnson and served at Johnson’s direction as a liaison to the Republican Congressional leadership. Hollywood mogul and Democratic fundraiser Lew Wasserman pressured Lyndon Johnson to let Valenti leave in 1966 to run the MPAA. A striking and articulate man who easily made friends, Valenti became a figure of considerable influence in both Hollywood and Washington. Few people have known as many famous and powerful people as Valenti. (Inventory #: 22513E)