Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 488 › Conversation 488-018

Nixon, Perkins & Davies on Oval Office and Presidential Protocol

Tuesday, April 27, 1971 · 12:43 PM–12:45 PM ET · Oval Office · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Perkins, William; Perkins, Gary; Davies, John S.; White House photographerConversation488-018 on Tape 488 (tape position 02:57:06–03:00:13)StartTuesday, April 27, 1971 at 12:43 PMEndTuesday, April 27, 1971 at 12:45 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 488-018 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon hosted William Perkins, Gary Perkins, and John S. Davies in the Oval Office for a brief, informal meeting. The discussion focused on the room's decor, specifically the presidential seal, and Nixon’s daily schedule regarding diplomatic ceremonies and the reception of foreign ambassadors. The meeting concluded with Nixon presenting his guests with commemorative gifts, including cuff links and golf balls.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript is incomplete. The transcription skipped stretches of speech — roughly 1 minute of this recording (about 30% of it) is represented by only a few words. Listen to the audio rather than relying on the text below; a corrected transcript is queued.

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Oh, it's the seal on the ceiling.
And the floor, excuse me.
Even though the rug's changed, this is the most important thing in history.
It is.
This gives much more color to it.
Well, it's very warm, too.
It's a warm pad.
And particularly with your backdrops here, it's very quiet.
It's nice for the day-to-day.
The entire white generation is moving.
You eat the style.
It's changing this time.
It looks good for a couple of days.
This is beautiful.
We don't want to take down a beer.
I want to have a chance tonight.
I want to give you a little memento.
These are the, you've seen that seal.
Here it is in complex.
Thank you very much.
I appreciate the mention.
Thank you very much.
Are you a golfer?
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
I'll give you something else.
Listen here.
Come on, come on.

NARA Description

On April 27, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, William Perkins, Gary Perkins, John S. Davies, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:43 pm to 12:45 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 488-018 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 488-18

Date: April 27, 1971
Time: 12:43 pm - 12:45 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with William Perkins, Gary Perkins, and John S. Davies; the White House
photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.

     Introductions
           -Edward C. Nixon

     Photo
     President's schedule
          -Unknown man
          -Reception of foreign visitors
                -Ceremony
          -Meeting with ambassadors

     Seal

     Flags
             -Decorations

     Presentation of gifts
          -Cuff links
          -Golf balls

     Farewells

W. Perkins, G. Perkins, and Davies left at 12:45 pm.

Also recorded on April 27, 1971

  • 488-017 12:16 PM · 1 min — United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:16 pm and 12:40 pm.
  • 488-019 12:46 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:46 pm.
  • 488-020 12:46 PM · 20 sec — Alexander P. Butterfield and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:46 pm and 1:10 pm.
  • 488-021 12:46 PM · 31 sec — unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:46 pm and 1:10 pm.
  • 251-011 1:11 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:11 pm and 2:25 pm.
  • 251-012 1:11 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:11 pm and 2:25 pm.
  • 251-013 1:11 PM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:11 pm and 2:25 pm.
  • 251-014 1:11 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:11 pm and 2:25 pm.

All 46 conversations from April 27, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 488-018, April 27, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/488-018 (accessed October 10, 2026).