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John F. Kennedy 1963 Signed Photograph

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA
John F. Kennedy 1963 Signed Photograph

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Auction Date:2013 Oct 24 @ 12:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:60 School Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Vintage matte-finish 10 x 8 photo of Kennedy wearing a seldom-seen fedora, walking on an airport tarmac with his joint chiefs, a Marine Corps helicopter in the background, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “For Alex Rose, with best regards from his friend, John F. Kennedy.” Written in the lower right corner in an unknown hand is the date, “April 24, 1963.” In fine condition, with a few scattered light surface creases and an old tape remnant along top edge of reverse.

In the months leading up to the 1960 Democratic Convention, Kennedy gained the support of the powerful liberal-labor alliance, largely influenced by Alex Rose—co-founder of the American Labor Party and vice-chairman of the Liberal Party of New York. After securing the nomination in large part due to their contributions, Kennedy continued to consult with them but often disregarded their recommendations. As the party’s power was beginning to slip, so to was Rose’s other focus: hats. President of the Hatters’ Union since 1950, he kept an office lined with pictures of himself in tandem with the famous, ‘all of whom are wearing hats,’ according to a 1969 New York magazine article. Included on that wall was the photo offered here, showing a rarely capped Kennedy walking alongside his Joint Chiefs. While past generations saw the hat as a sign of reaching manhood, Kennedy was part of a new generation that considered them old-fashioned (and incredibly uncomfortable)—and so, when he took the stage to give his famous ‘Ask not what your country can do for you’ speech after winning the presidential election with the support of Rose’s party, he did it hatless. A remarkable piece, with incredible personal association to one of New York’s most powerful party leaders as the shape—and fashion—of the Democratic party met a new generation.