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Conversation 590-001

TapeTape 590StartWednesday, October 13, 1971 at 8:53 PMEndWednesday, October 13, 1971 at 9:05 PMTape start time00:07:36Tape end time00:12:10ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Butterfield, Alexander P.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield discuss the personal acquisition of premium wines, focusing on specific vintages and bottle sizes to be purchased using the President's personal funds. Nixon requests a detailed price comparison and source information for these vintages, emphasizing his desire for fiscal oversight of the transaction. Additionally, the pair briefly reviews scheduling arrangements for upcoming meetings with James D. Hughes and Mayor Walter E. Washington.

White House administrationWine procurementPersonal financesPresidential scheduling
AudioNARA Description

On October 13, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:53 pm and 9:05 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 590-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 590-1

Date: October 13, 1971
Time: Unknown between 8:53 am and 9:05 am
Location: Oval Office

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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 03/18/2020.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[590-001-w001]
[Duration: 2m 21s]

     The President’s request
          -Chef
               -Purchase of wine
                      -The President’s account
                           -Rex W. Scouten
                      -Bordeaux
                           -Size of bottles
                           -1966
                           -Three brands
                           -Size of bottles
                                 -Prices
                                 -Purchasing source
                           -Rex W. Scouten
                           -The President’s intention to purchase
                           -1955-1959
                           -Cost differences between 1966, 1955 and 1956
                           -The President’s request for list

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     The President's schedule
          -James D. (“Don”) Hughes
          -Dr. Walter R. Tkach
          -Walter E. Washington

Butterfield left at an unknown time before 9:05 am.
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Excuse me?
Yeah, I wanted to do some checking on the situation in regards to our wine store.
You know, they bought some.
I have told them that.
I'm not sure if it's done.
It's not done true.
It's definitely not.
What is this on this one?
I've been waiting on it.
Purchase of wine.
Oh, on wine.
Purchase of wine.
Yeah.
Let me say that wherever my house is concerned, never do it true.
or any individual letter, you understand?
I said, well, right, Scott, that's kind of what that person needs to know.
Sure.
Yes, sir, I am sure.
I'm sure that I have it.
See, there are payoffs on that stuff.
Yeah.
In every offense, you know, I just want to be sure we do that and that we have it done intelligently.
Now, I'll tell you what I want you to get.
I have it done.
I have it done.
I want to take it myself.
What I read is what I want for myself.
Four are gold.
The feature is a, and two, they've already bought some small bottles.
My credit was the 66.
I don't know, the three brands, Marlott, Shadow Margo, and the Rothschild.
And hopefully all.
Now, they have some small bottles.
I want to get the prices of the small bottles and large bottles.
I want to see who they're purchasing from, see what I mean.
And I'd like to make a significant purchase of those.
All right, now I do know the prices on all of those wines.
About five months ago, just before Rex bought them, he wanted to know the price.
No, but we bought, you see, we were buying before.
We were buying quite expensive.
It's a 50,000.
You see, I don't want to get any more of those, but we've had those, and that's good.
We've had those in stock, and I use them some.
for future purposes and also for my office.
I'm getting the, see a 66 is a third of the pricing of the 56 and 55.
I just like what they are.
What do you buy in 66 for both the large and small bodies of gold?
Would you get any of this with that?
Sure.
And I'll never make any determinations with the cases that I've bought.
You purchase it and I'll just sign it.
Robert, she's got two more that have to go to the office.
Your Honor, five more minutes.
Tom Hughes wanted very much to see you for about two minutes.
I'm going to call it a personal matter.
What?
I'm not sure.
I guess I have to move along.
I don't know what to do.
To copy.
Oh.
Shall we run Hughes in for a few minutes?
Sure.
Sure.
I mean, this is before Mayor Washington.
Okay.
Before you're done.
All right.
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