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John F. Kennedy

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
John F. Kennedy

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Auction Date:2014 Jul 16 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
Matte-finish 7.5 x 9.5 photo of Kennedy by Alfred Eisenstaedt, affixed to its original 11 x 14 mount, unsigned, but inscribed on the mount in fountain pen by Kennedy, “For Governor Matthew.” Accompanied by the original sheet of White House letterhead with the typed name of Indiana governor Matthew E. Welsh, the intended recipient; on the reverse, Evelyn Lincoln has noted, “11-21-63.” In fine condition, with a rusty paperclip mark to top edge and some dings to corner tips. Accompanied by a 2010 letter of authenticity from the Gettysburg Museum of History, providing background information on the photo and confirming that it was deaccessioned from the museum’s collection. Also included is a print-out of a 1999 article from the St. Petersburg Times reporting on a Kennedy exhibit in town, featuring an image of this exact photo with the caption, “President John F. Kennedy started signing this portrait…just hours before he left on his Texas trip.”

Prepared for Kennedy’s personal touch by White House secretary Evelyn Lincoln, the busy president began his inscription to Governor Matthew Welsh on November 21, 1963, but was stopped halfway through as his helicopter waited to take him to Air Force One. Departing for Texas at 11:00 a.m., this photo waited for his return, which tragically would not come. Following the assassination, Lincoln was responsible for cleaning out the Oval Office on November 23; it was then that she discovered this photo on Kennedy’s desk. A poignant reminder of the life cut short—with countless unfinished tasks laying in wait—and outstandingly rare, as this is one of the last photos inscribed by the fallen president.