John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)
Important typed memorandum signed AS PRESIDENT
Captivating lot of five items, all of which relate to a memo Kennedy sent to Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara. The first is a typed draft on White House letterhead, 1p., 6.75 x 9.0 inch, Washington, April 2, 1963, and the carbon typescript. On the first typed draft are three emendations written by Kennedy, changing “re:” to “on”, “Boarmark's” to “Bomarc” and adding “our” in the last sentence. The second is the final typed draft also on White House letterhead, 1p., 6.75 x 9.0 inch, Washington, April 2, 1963, titled: “Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense”, with only one handwritten correction and Kennedy's signature “John Kennedy” at the bottom. The text reads in full: “It might be worthwhile to bring to the attention of those who read your testimony on the Bomarc in Canada, that their failure to catch the political significance has strengthened Diefenbaker's hand considerably and increased our difficulties. It would seem to me that every word in those sentences flashed a red light. They should be on the alert for our political, as well as military, security.” The last items are two handwritten drafts of the memo in shorthand by JFK’s secretary Evelyn Lincoln (1909-1995) on his personal letterhead “From the Desk of John F. Kennedy”. 1p., 4.0 x 5.0 inch. A mere six days after this memo was written, Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker lost the election, making way for Lester Pearson. This change in leadership led to the approval of nuclear warheads in Canada, known as the “Bomarc Program”. Robert Strange McNamara (1916-2009) was an American business executive and the eighth United States Secretary of Defense, serving from 1961 to 1968 under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. John George Diefenbaker (1895-1979) was the 13th prime minister of Canada, serving from 1957 to 1963. Minor pinholes in the upper left corner, else fine condition and uncommon especially with Evelyn Lincoln’s shorthand memos. Comes together with my book “John F. Kennedy - autograph study” - about 90 pages with hundreds of signatures (authentic, secretary, Autopen, stamps, facsimile etc.).
Price: $ 7,700 / € 7.000
Signed photograph AS PRESIDENT
Excellent matte-finish signed photograph “For Bob Goldberg - with warmest regards from his friend John F. Kennedy”. 8.0 x 10.0 inch, n.p., n.d. Portrait photo of Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy taken after being nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate in August of 1960, signed and inscribed in the lower border in dark fountain pen. Inscribed to Robert (Bob) Goldberg, the son of Arthur J. Goldberg. Arthur Joseph Goldberg (1908-1990) - American statesman and jurist who served as the 9th U.S. Secretary of Labor, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the 6th United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Minor handling wear, else fine condition. Although taken in the summer of 1960 by Alfred Eisenstaedt, this was the preferred portrait JFK would sign and give out during the beginning of his administration. Excellent provenance and fine connection to a member of the Kennedy administration and one of the finest signed JFK photos you can hope to find. Comes together with my book “John F. Kennedy – autograph study” - about 90 pages with hundreds of signatures (authentic, secretary, Autopen, stamps, facsimile etc.).
Price: $ 7,550 / € 6.875
Fantastic rare early signed photograph
Rare early signed and inscribed glossy photograph from his first year in Congress. 7.0 x 9.0 inch, n.p., n.d. (1948), signed and inscribed in fountain pen "With warmest regards to Kenneth Browne from John F. Kennedy”. Reverse bears an affixed collector's label indicating that it was signed in 1948. The said date is consistent with my Kennedy autograph study which shows some signatures from this time. In 1946 the 29-year-old John F. Kennedy ran for the vacant 11th Congressional District seat in eastern Massachusetts. To its predominantly working class constituents - located in and around Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Charlestown, and Brighton - Kennedy seemed like a privileged dilettante: he was young, inexperienced, wealthy, and propped up by family and political connections. Yet Kennedy successfully cultivated another image, that of a World War II. veteran sympathetic to economic and social hardship. His campaign slogan “The New Generation Offers a Leader” emphasized his age positive rather than treating it as a liability. He won the general election by winning 73% of the vote, and went on to serve in the House of Representatives until 1953, when he secured a Senate seat. An exemplary, very early signed portrait of Kennedy as he began his career in politics and one of the finest you can hope to find. With light overall creasing, else fine condition. Comes together with my book “John F. Kennedy – autograph study” - about 90 pages with hundreds of signatures (authentic, secretary, Autopen, stamps, facsimile etc.).
Price: $ 3,850 / € 3.500
Signed photograph matted with campaign sticker
Vintage glossy signed photograph. Black/ white, 8.0 x 10.0 inch, n.p., n.d. (1956). A fine photo of John F. Kennedy as a U.S. senator for Massachusetts, boldly signed and inscribed in fountain pen: "To Kenneth Browne with every good wish - John Kennedy”. Reverse bears a typed collector's notation indicating that it was received in 1956. In good to very good condition, with scattered light creasing, staple holes and paperclip impressions to the upper left edge. And a heavy water damage to Kennedy's collar and lapels (matted out). A wonderful custom made and creative matting has minimized its adverse appearance and now it is a beautiful display item. The signature and inscription is in perfect condition and completely unaffected. Matted in beige/ red with an original campaign sticker to an overall size of 14.5 x 20.0 inch and ready for framing. Comes together with my book “John F. Kennedy - autograph study” - about 90 pages with hundreds of signatures (authentic, secretary, Autopen, stamps, facsimile etc.).
Price: $ 3,520 / € 3.200
Magazine portrait signed AS PRESIDENT
Magazine portrait signed AS PRESIDENT. 1 page, 9.5 x 11.25 inch, no place (Washington), 1963. Front page of the Saturday evening Post, issue April 6, 1963. Signed and inscribed by Kennedy in blue ballpoint pen “To Jim - Best wishes - from John Kennedy”. The front page of the magazine features a Norman Rockwell portrait painting of a thoughtful JFK with the headline “A worried President: The crisis in his foreign policy”. Neatly mounted on thin paper of the same size, slightly trimmed at the bottom, minor stains, else fine. Comes together with my book “John F. Kennedy - autograph study” - about 90 pages with hundreds of signatures (authentic, secretary, Autopen, stamps, facsimile etc.).
Price: $ 3,025 / € 2.750
Handwritten manuscript “…develop more effective weapons"
Handwritten manuscript, unsigned. 1p., 8.5 x 11.0 inch, n.p., n.d. (1954). Important handwritten manuscript on John F Kennedy for U.S. Senator stationery. In Kennedy’s hand: "more horrible than they could now imagine doesn’t lessen the severity of the challenge that this presents. We can meet this successfully by only by Our success in meeting this challenge has been invited. Our task in the next years must be to develop more effective weapons." Notes written by JFK at his desk in the Senate Office building in 1954 on stationery used in his campaign for the U.S. Senate against Henry Cabot Lodge in 1952. Notes were thoughts to be used in a speech on United States defense. Handling wear, else good condition. Comes together with my book “John F. Kennedy - autograph study” - about 90 pages with hundreds of signatures (authentic, secretary, Autopen, stamps, facsimile etc.).
Price: $ 3,025 / € 2.750
Fine typed letter signed
Typed letter signed “John Kennedy”. 1p., 8.0 x 10.5 inch, on his United States Senate, Washington, D.C. letterhead. Washington, 1956 May 11. To Mr. Anderson of the Employment Office in Amherst, Massachusetts. The letter in full: “Dear Mr. Anderson: I am writing in the interest of Mr. Adolph Czarnecki of 23 L. Street, Turner Falls, who is most desirous of securing a position as Janitor in the new building that is now being completed at the University of Massachusetts. It is my understanding that Mr. Czarnecki has already filed an application, and I would, therefore, sincerely appreciate your favorable consideration of his request. Thanking you for your kind attention and interest in this matter and with every good wish, I am Sincerely yours”. Mailing folds, staple holes, received stamp on verso, else fine with a perfect signature. Comes together with my book “John F. Kennedy - autograph study” - about 90 pages with hundreds of signatures (authentic, secretary, Autopen, stamps, facsimile etc.).
Price: $ 2,640 / € 2.400
