Richard Nixon and his rare autograph are historical trademarks.  Although Richard Nixon circulated widely as a politician and distributed autographs to the public for many years, authentic examples of his signature on letters and documents are difficult to find.  Nixon's staff commonly used an autopen or rubber stamp for signing letters and documents.  The machine-made examples by autopen have been published.  Autopen examples include Nixon's full name and his initials "RN".  Curiously, unlike many of his handwritten specimens, machine-made "RN" initials are clear and defined.  Therefore Nixon's handwritten initials on letters and documents are more likely to be written by him if they are scribbled and barely legible.

Books authored by Nixon are the most common source of Nixon's autograph.  Nixon wrote many books including a book of his memoirs.  Nixon signed many of these books for promotional purposes.  Books that were issued as limited editions with his signature are the most likely to have his genuine autograph.

Richard Nixon and his rare autograph are also manifested on letters that were personally signed by Richard Nixon; they are very rare.  Nixon is known to have sent four handwritten letters to parents of Kent State students who were killed by National Guardsmen during the Vietnam War.  These letters have not yet surfaced for public view and are considered the private possession of the recipients.  Most of Nixon's letters from the White House were signed by a machine, rubber stamp, or by one his secretaries, including Rose Mary Woods.  Richard Nixon and Herbert Hoover rank among U.S. presidents with the rare autographed letters.

Checks signed by Richard Nixon are also rare with less than a dozen specimens to reach the public by auction or through catalogs of autograph dealers.  Of the few that have become available, several are associated with Nixon's favorite sport - baseball.

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