LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Feb Grand Format Book & Manuscript #682  / 

56205

John F. Kennedy ALS & Choate Yearbook

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:4,875.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
John F. Kennedy ALS & Choate Yearbook
<B>John F. Kennedy Early Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> "<I>Faithfully Yours,/Jack Kennedy</B></I>," 2.5 conjoined pages, 5" x 6.5", front and verso. [Choate, Wallingford, Connecticut], November 22, 1934. To "<I>Mr. St. John</B></I>" (Choate Headmaster George C. St. John or Assistant Headmaster Clarence W. St. John). In full, "<I>My new boy, Eugene Arrendell, is one of the nicest boys, in my and others opinion, in Choate. He played a very fine game of foot-ball this year, and has remained as unconceited as he was when he first came. His studies have been quite low, but every marking period there has been an improvement in each subject. As an example of this, one of his subjects came up from a 56 to a B-. He works very hard, and gets along with his room ate </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> as well as he does with everyone that he comes in contact with. His attitude towards Choate, when he just came, was one of bewilderment, but now it is one of ardent loyalty. He is a credit to Choate, Mr. St. John.</B></I>" Plastic tape stains on one page touch the top of two words, else in fine condition. At Choate, traditionally each senior was assigned a freshman "new boy" to help adjust to the school. The normal expectation is that the senior will provide guidance during the first semester, which usually ends a short time after the first few weeks of orientation. That Kennedy took it upon himself to follow the progress of his charge as evidenced by this letter, is far beyond the expectations placed by the school. It was of such note that the school administration mailed Kennedy's letter to young Eugene's family as part of his first year's progress report. Eugene's older brother, Cad Walder Arrendell, Jr., was in Kennedy's class. Included is a copy of Choate's senior class yearbook titled <I>The Brief 1935</B></I> , Cad Arrendell's copy, signed inside the back cover, "<I>Cad Arrendell</B></I>." The book is 340 pages, 6.75" x 9.25", with numerous photographs. In addition to his photograph and extracurricular activities listed on page 76 (see image), JFK is also pictured on page 116 ("The Brief Board") and on 117 as Business Manager of The Brief Board. The result of the "Class Votes" on page 107 shows Kennedy as "Most Likely to Succeed" with 51 votes to 14 and 10 for the runner-ups. He graduated on June 8, 1935. The front and back covers of <I>The Brief</B></I> have separated from the book, the front endpaper is loose, and the spine is missing. However, internally, the book is clean and in fine condition. This lot was obtained directly from Mr. Arrendell, Kennedy's then "new boy". The earliest ALS of John F. Kennedy ever to appear at a major public auction!<BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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