53

Comprehensive file on Chase Manhattan chairman David Rockefeller's visit to Nigeria in 1979.

Various places, December 1978 to May 1979
Approximately 220 items (23 Letters Signed; 152 retained carbons, telegrams, and photocopied correspondence; 16 photographs; and 38 other memoranda) in two-ring binder. 4to, original board, boards dampstained; minor dampstaining and wear to contents, most items with two punch holes in left margin.

  • Notes: David Rockefeller (1915-2017) was chairman of the board at Chase Manhattan Bank from 1969 to 1981, and led an effort to increase the bank's global profile, with high-profile ventures in the Soviet Union and China. This binder documents his 14-15 February 1979 visit to Nigeria, from the planning details to high-level discussions of oil, finance, and diplomacy.

    This was the file of William Roderick Richards (1947-2011), an English-born Chase executive who was then serving as managing director of Chase Merchant Bank Nigeria. One highlight is a Letter Signed as "David" from Rockefeller to Richards, 16 March 1979: "Our stopover in Nigeria was a very brief one, but from my point of view, it was both useful and pleasant. . . . The rather surprising visit with Chief Okubanjo was a highlight of the trip." A 6-page file memorandum by Richards, 6 March 1979, describes frankly the current state of Nigerian internal politics and foreign affairs, and a meeting with President Olusegun Obasanjo. An official internal memorandum describes the participants and agenda. One short memorandum describes a dinner the night before in the Ivory Coast with their president Félix Houphouët-Boigny. A photocopy of Rockefeller's prepared remarks in Nigeria, "The U.S. Dollar in the World Economy" is also included. The binder also contains 13 United States Information Service contact sheets (approximately 250 photographs) from the visit, as well as three copies of Rockefeller's official Chase portrait.


  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

November 20, 2025 10:30 AM EST
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000