1985 Inauguration License Plates

Ever since 1972 (or thereabouts), I have collected political memorabilia. Items included campaign buttons, posters, programs and others.

One collectible was the 1985 Presidential Inauguration license plates for the Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush.

I had the plates on my 1980 Toyota Pick-up truck for the three months they were legally valid. I chose "AMV85" for my plates (my initials and year).

According to DCPlates.com:

Along with a commemorative legend, the color gold and inclusion of fifty graphic red stars were used on 1985 plates to mark the 50th U.S. presidential inauguration. The overall composition of the design is in stark contrast to earlier plates, with small printing and poor color contrast in the graphic components, and no mention of the issuing jurisdiction, making this and later inaugural plates more appealing for display on a wall as a souvenir rather than on the bumper of a moving vehicle. Plate stickers and commemorative frames also were sold by the Presidential Inaugural Committee but were distributed sparingly, making both accessories relatively rare. Introduced this year were special plates for disabled motorists that include the international access emblem, a person in a wheelchair. Less than 100 sets were likely produced.

The cost of general-issue and personalized 1985 inaugural plates was $30 and $50, respectively, and they could be used for three months. Approximately 16,000 pairs of plates are thought to have been produced, a significant reduction from the previous nauguration.

I have one plate (of my set of two) in a curio cabinet and the other on the wall of my den.

Reagan Portrait Re-Framed and Matted

Last year, I had a photographic portrait of President Ronald Reagan matted and framed with my invitation to the White House as shown above. It now hangs in my living room.

The portrait was a thank-you gift from the Citizens for Reagan campaign in 1976. I served as an area chairman for the campaign in my congressional district that year. I also was a California Delegate to the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Above, in 1981, I had my collection of Reagan campaign memorabilia
 on display at the Hawthorne Library. The photo above shows me
 holding the portrait in its original matte and frame at the Library.
Photo by Mike Davis of the Daily Breeze.

The California Delegation to the 1980 Republican National Convention were invited to the White House in June 1982 for a reception. The convention was held in Detroit, Michigan. While President Reagan was mingling with the Delegation guests in the East Room, I had him sign my invitation. 

Above, the California Delegation reception in the East Room. President Reagan signing a delegate's invitation. I am in the background at left behind someone's white shoulder. White House photo.

I had the items framed and matted at Frame 'N Art in Gallup. 

UPDATE: 

Here I am at the presidential podium (before the seal was put on it) in the East Room of the White House.

A Flag That Doesn't Mince Words!

While browsing around for political Americana (being a collector of campaign stuff), I came across this item over at Amazon:

Now, that's what I call a campaign flag that doesn't mince words!

To order, go here.

MAGA Hats Driving Leftists Into Voter Intimidation

Above, yours truly with my MAGA (or is it LMAGA?) hat. 

Two years ago, during the 2016 presidential campaign, I obtained some campaign buttons and a "Let's Make America Great Again" baseball cap. I am a collector of political Americana and saw the "MAGA hat" as the hottest item to get. 

Little did I know at the time that these MAGA hats put out by the Trump campaign would arouse extreme passion two years later.

"Let's Make America Great Again" or "Make America Great Again" is not a new campaign slogan. The 1980 Ronald Reagan campaign used this slogan, so it's hardly original.

But today, altercations and other incidents have been sparked by liberals and leftists whenever they see a Trump supporter wearing one in public. Some wearers have been assaulted. 

A "major" incident took place a few days ago in Covington, Kentucky when some high schoolers were wearing MAGA hats. The incident was totally mischaracterized by the media and their leftist lackeys, which may lead to defamation lawsuits against several media outlets.

Now, the left is trying to equate MAGA hats with KKK hoods. This is total insanity. Or is it?

Laura Ingraham has an excellent opinion piece on all this posted at Fox News.

She wrote:

There's so much news to cover every day in Trump World, that you'd think the press would stick to real reporting and analysis on important political developments. 

But, nooo. So, move over Anna Wintour, because left-wing malefactors are now in the business of dissing fashion accessories -- The Trump "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) hats.

"The MAGA hat carries a certain connotation that provokes a conditioned reaction from many people, especially from marginalized people," CNN's Don Lemon said. 

"This 'Make America Great Again' hat is just as maddening and frustrating and triggering for me to look at, as a KKK hood," said CNN commentator Angela Rye.

In the wake of the Covington Catholic High School fracas, the red MAGA has now become a talisman of evil and a symbol of white supremacy. Savannah Guthrie brought it up with a student at the center of the controversy, Nick Sandmann, on "Today." "Do you think if you weren't wearing that hat this might not have happened or it might have been different?" she asked him. Sandmann replied, "That's possible. But I would have to assume what Mr. Phillips was thinking and rather let him speak for why he came up to us." 

So the red hat now is apparently the Annabelle of head coverings, a thing capable of unleashing evil wherever it's seen. There is also a subtext here that's meant to intimidate. The left wants to take away your right to wear whatever the heck you want. It's weird.

According to Ingraham, the issue really isn't about MAGA hats, the issue is really about 2020:

Even in the end, it's really not about the hat, is it? It's about 2020. Trump-hating fanatics aim to deprive the president of any opportunity to brand his re-election campaign. In other words, any Trump paraphernalia will be verboten. 

I thought about this today, and it's actually in its own way a form of voter intimidation and potentially lethal with consequences that are incredibly destructive.

If they don't like it, f*ck 'em!

To read more (and see a video), go here.

Paul Bannai Coffee Mug

Above, the signature side of the Bannai coffee mug. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I got involved in politics over 40 years ago, I have amassed a collection of political Americana.

At one point, while attending El Camino College in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, I served as a field representative to State Assemblyman Paul Bannai of Gardena.

While working for Bannai, I obtained a coffee mug with the California Assembly seal on one side and Paul Bannai's signature on the other. I still have it.

I noticed today that one is for sale at Eclectic Amanda for $123.75.

Here's its description:

* Vintage coffee mug 

* The front has the seal of the California State Assembly 

* The back has the name of Paul Bannai 

* Paul Bannai was the first Japanese a American to serve in the state legislature. 

* He served in Army Intelligence in WWII. 

* This mug is from his time in the legislature (1973 to 1980) 

* It has no chips or cracks. 

* There are a few dark spots around the cup where coffee seeped into the crazing and stained the cup. There are also dark spots on the very bottom of the cup from usage.
* Measures 2 3/4" tall and 3 1/4" in diameter. 

* We understand antiques, coins and collectibles need to be seen and held to fully appreciate their condition. 

* We offer a 30 day money back guarantee to allow you time to decide if this item is right for you.

Above, the California Assembly seal side of the mug. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I don't use the mug anymore as the handle was broken during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, but I do have it displayed in my dining room with the handle glued back on.

To see the one offered for sale, go here.

Scored A Trump Campaign Button

While at breakfast at The Lamplighter Restaurant in Chatsworth this morning with my former roomie Jes, a nice lady from the Federation of Republican Woman was just leaving. Jes motioned to me about the Trump t-shirt she was wearing. I turned around and complimented the lady on her shirt.

We started talking about campaign materials such as t-shirts, buttons, Trump hats (she was also wearing one) and bumper stickers. She gave me her card. She was Pegy Ann Schubert, Representative of the Woodland Hills Republican Women Federated. I also gave her one of my cards.

On the Trump buttons, I mentioned that I have some, mainly "Gun Owners For Trump" buttons. She had a nice 3" Trump button on her shirt and said she had an extra one for sale for $5.00.

I checked my wallet, and I happened to have $6.00 on me. I rarely carry cash in these days of debit cards. So, I took out $5.00 and bought the button.

The photo at top was taken by Jes several minutes later.

Another for my campaign button collection!