77

John F. Kennedy Hand-Corrected Typed 1958 Speech Draft

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA
John F. Kennedy Hand-Corrected Typed 1958 Speech Draft

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2013 Oct 24 @ 12:00 (UTC-05:00 : 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
Original hand-corrected unsigned typed manuscript draft, 13 pages, 8 x 10.5, for an address at the Women’s Democratic Club Luncheon in Washington on March 13, 1958, annotated and corrected in pencil by Kennedy throughout the first six pages. The third page bears no notations and is on a slightly larger, brittle sheet; all other sheets are watermarked with the seal of the United States. At the top of the first page, Kennedy jotted down a few thoughts in his inscrutable hand, presumably for a humorous introduction before beginning his serious speech—some words and phrases appear to be “As an impromptu,” “Some times seems for him one who knew him well,” and “Two monkeys.” Discussing election results for Democrats, the text reads, “But let us not take victory for granted. I do not say that it will be easy. It will come to us only if we deserve it,” with JFK striking through the last two sentences and writing in the left margin, “I think the prospects are excellent.”

On the second page, Kennedy crossed out two lengthy passages, one mentioning the space race with the Soviet Union, and the other regarding unemployment; he crosses out another couple of paragraphs on the fourth page that examine the perilous economic situation. Regarding the Democratically led Congress, Kennedy proclaims in the typescript, “We must exercise that leadership,” adding to the sentence by writing in the margin, “and we must do it now on a whole variety of fronts—at home and abroad.” Finally, the text at the bottom of the sixth page reads, “If we turn our attentions to the dangers we face abroad the theme once again is our crying need for leadership, for fresh ideas and action.” Below, Kennedy adds in pencil, “Therein lies our responsibility and our opportunity.” On the reverse of the final page, JFK has sketched a dory boat and added a brief numbered list. In this important political address, Kennedy also quotes FDR, T. S. Eliot, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Queen Elizabeth I. In very good to fine condition, with light central vertical folds, a rusty paperclip mark and impression to the upper left (affecting only the first and last page), and a few mild areas of staining throughout. An exceptional and absolutely one-of-a-kind item from Kennedy’s senatorial career.