104

John F. Kennedy

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
John F. Kennedy

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:2016 Apr 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : 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
Original typescript for a campaign speech made by John F. Kennedy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on September 22, 1960, 20 pages (pages 5-7 no longer present), 8 x 10.5, with eleven pages bearing green ink notations and emendations written in Kennedy’s hand. Headed “National Plowing Contest,” this final reading copy was aimed to incorporate the interests of South Dakota farmers within the context of national and world affairs. In part: “Tomorrow the Republican candidate for president will present the second half of his views on agriculture. And I have no doubt that, as you listen, you will find that we use much the same vocabulary—that we both proclaim the same friendship for the American farmer, and the same concern about his needs. How then, in this election year of 1960, is the American farmer to choose between Mr. Nixon and myself—between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party? For an answer we must return to the ancient Biblical injunction: ‘by their fruits shall ye know them.’ And by their fruits the American farmer has learned the true meaning of Republican election year speeches and pledges…This is not an issue for farmers alone. It is not an issue for the Farm Belt alone. This is a basic issue of American strength—and only a strong America can win the peace. For peace is our real goal. Peace overshadows every other effort. And those of you who fought in the Pacific or in Europe—those of you who might have traveled, as I have traveled, to Poland and Eastern Europe and seen the despair of a people in chains—share my dedication to securing a just and lasting peace before it is too late. There are trouble spots all over the world today. They are increasing. The communists grow bolder every day. Their respect for our power grows less. And unless we get moving and building and strengthening our country and our economy the peace we seek will be in deadly peril. With God’s help, let us act now to save the peace—not as farmers or businessmen or workers, not as spokesmen for any group or section, but as Americans devoted to freedom, and to the future of our children, and children around the world.” In very good to fine condition, with wrinkling and some running of ink from an instance of moisture exposure.

Honing his rhetorical skills throughout the 1960 presidential campaign, Senator Kennedy was nonetheless unable to sway the rural and blue-collar constituents of South Dakota with his eloquent speech. Although Nixon narrowly won the state and the midwest, Kennedy’s clear discourse, concern for the manual laborer, and allegiance to a peaceful Cold War solution struck a definitive chord, securing enough electoral votes to carry him to the White House. Featuring approximately 45 handwritten words, this speech demonstrates Kennedy’s marked ability to communicate effectively across the broad campaign trail.