Created by
Purviance, Stu, American
Received by
General Powell, Colin L., American, 1937 - 2021
Subject of
President Lincoln, Abraham, American, 1809 - 1865
United States Armed Forces, American, founded 1775
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Date
June 23, 1979
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product) wood and glass metal cardboard
Dimensions
H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 6 11/16 × 1 1/2 in. (27.5 × 17 × 3.8 cm)
Caption
On the day of his promotion to brigadier general on June 1, 1979, General Powell was given this quote by his friend, Stuart Purviance, then Secretary of Defense Harold Brown’s protocol officer. The quote is one part of a famous conversation between President Lincoln and a telegrapher for the Brigadier General of Fairfax Station and refers to the concern for the elements that matter most: “the horses, the soldiers, the employees, the clerks, the students, the faculty, whatever it takes to be successful in whatever it is you’re trying to achieve,” as Powell is quoted as saying in David Rubenstein’s book How to Lead.
Taped to the back of the frame was an envelope with instructions that it not be opened for ten years. When Powell opened the note in 1989, after he had become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he read Purviance's prediction that Powell would become Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
Powell kept the framed quote on the wall near his desk at his home in McLean, Virginia.
Description
A framed quote by United States President Abraham Lincoln, given to General Colin L. Powell. Printed in large black text on a cream paper background: [“I can make a / Brigadier General / in five minutes, but / it is not easy to replace / 110 horses / A. Lincoln”]. The paper (a) is set behind a brown mat in a black wood frame (b). On the reverse of the frame is an inscription on the cardboard backing, in black ink: [Presented to BG Colin Powell / by LtCol Stu Purviance, Civilian, USAF / on 23 June 1979 / with a prediction not to be opened / until 23 June 1989].
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Type
documents
frames (furnishings)
Topic
Government
Men
Military
Politics
U.S. History, 1969-2001
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
Object number
A2022.101.1.28ab
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55a9c0c8c-99d3-460c-add1-50925c81bbd2

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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