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82

John F. Kennedy

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:9,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
John F. Kennedy

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Auction Date:2012 Apr 18 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, 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
Notated typed speech, with numerous cross-outs and over 50 words penciled in Kennedy’s hand, as well as a quick sketch of a boat, 13 pages, with 12 pages measuring 8 x 10.5, and page 3 being a sheet of 8.5 x 13.25 manila paper. Speech is titled at the top “Remarks of Senator John F. Kennedy (Dem. –Mass.) Women’s Democratic Club Luncheon – Washington, D.C., Thursday Afternoon, March 13, 1958.” Atop the typed title, Kennedy has handwritten approximately 23 words, his opening remarks, probably humorous, prior to his speech. Some of his words seem to be “as an impromptu…influence…husbands are,” “for him one who knew him well,” “most,” and “Two monkeys” which may refer to Dr. Wernher von Braun’s March 2, 1958, interview which was headlined in some newspapers.

Some of Kennedy’s notations are as follows: On page 1, after saying, “But let us not take victory for granted,” JFK crossed out “I do not say that it will be easy. It will come to us only if we deserve it.” Kennedy handwrites in the left margin: “I think the prospects are excellent”

On page 5, Kennedy says “When an administration lets fall the reins of leadership, they must be firmly held by Congress—today a Democratic Congress. We must exercise that leadership.” He then adds in pencil: “and we must do it now on a whole variety of fronts—at home and abroad.” Kennedy had crossed out the remaining four lines on this page and the top 13 lines of the next page. Following his handwritten addition to page 5, he’s drawn horizontal lines above and below this next typed paragraph: “And above all, in the words of Justice Holmes, whether we sail with the wind or against the wind, let us set sail—and not drift or lie at anchor.” JFK adds in pencil: “Therein lies our responsibility and our opportunity.”

On the verso of page 13, Kennedy has sketched a dory boat and a small doodle around the number “1” listing two numbered names. Kennedy has also crossed out large portions of three of the pages.

In very good condition, with rusty paperclip marks to first page, scattered toning, edge chips to manila sheet, and expected handling wear.

On Thursday afternoon, March 13, 1958, Senator John F. Kennedy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered an important economic and foreign policy address at a luncheon of the Women’s Democratic Club in Washington, D.C. Six days earlier, Kennedy spoke at the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in Bristol, Virginia which served as a preview of his March 13 address.

As early as 1956, Kennedy had his eye on the presidency, which he had discussed with his father, Joe. After a failed bid for the vice-presidency, he returned to the Senate ready to make a presidential run in 1960. To secure his position, he parlayed his strength in foreign affairs into an appointment to the prestigious and powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee edging out the former vice presidential nominee Estes Kefauver, a more experienced politician, with the support of Senate majority leader Lyndon B. Johnson. By 1958, he had become so popular that no Republican challenged him in his reelection to the Senate.

This 1958 speech squarely outlined the need for leadership and need for the Democratic House and Senate to come together to solve the recession at home and neutralize the Soviet threat abroad, showcasing the senator as a potential candidate for 1960 by pointing out the Republicans lack of leadership and ideas. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library has what appears to be the exact 13-page typescript of this speech as this one except that page 3 is on the same paper as the other 12 pages. The Kennedy Library’s copy, however, does not include any corrections or handwritten additions, so the one here offered is a later, possibly final, draft.
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