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Sale 9
Lot 594
Kennedy, John F (1917-1963) 35th President of the United States, 1961-1963. Born into a tight-knit, highly competitive family, Kennedy planned to pursue an academic or journalistic career until his older brother Joe was killed in World War II. Accepting family expectations that he would step into Joe's shoes, Kennedy changed course and entered politics and was elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 29 (still recuperating from war wounds). With a rising political profile, Kennedy continued to serve Massachusetts in the House and Senate while building a national reputation. The charisma and personal charm Kennedy exuded, particularly in a series of televised debates, helped him to a narrow victory over Richard Nixon in the 1960 Presidential Election. An immensely popular president at home and abroad, Kennedy dedicated his administration to civil rights and other legislative reforms. While campaining in Dallas in November 1963, Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald and the nation plunged into mourning. Kennedy's mystique has grown to almost mythic proportions in the forty years since he was killed, bringing the world's attention to his family and legacy even to the present day.
Typed Letter Signed ("John Kennedy"). As President. One page, quarto, Washington, April 28, 1962. On pale green White House stationery, with a very strong signature. To Norman Thomas. Framed and matted with a portrait to an overall size of 30 x 17". In very fine condition.
Norman Thomas, social reformer and ardent pacifist, wrote to President Kennedy in the spring of 1962, presumably distressed over the United States' resumption of atmospheric nuclear testing. The testing, a response to increased Soviet nuclear capability, put the brakes on negotiations for a nuclear test ban treaty. President Kennedy's measured response shows respect for Thomas' views and a firm grasp of the issues before him: "I have your thoughtful letter about the testing program. We have had a careful look at the neutral proposals in Geneva, and I am sorry to say that we do not see much immediate hope in them. I agree that they deserve careful study, but we do not see how we can join in a further moratorium while such study proceeds. We have had a very painful experience of the meaning of an unpoliced moratorium, in terms of Soviet ability to pick and choose a time for testing. So we are now going ahead with this series of tests, but I want you to know that I have already directed a careful re-examination of the whole question to see whether we may not find ourselves in a position to make new efforts for progress after this series and the probable Soviet series that will come with it are concluded. I am grateful for your comments about the steel problem and the disarmament plan, and I know that if you have criticisms of the latter, the responsible officers of the Disarmament Agency will be much interested in knowing of them." Progress towards a test ban treaty accelerated when the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962 vividly illustrated the reality of nuclear confrontations. The United States, the U.S.S.R and Great Britain spent a mere 10 days in July and August of 1963 pounding out the details of the Nuclear Test Ban treaty, which was eventually ratified by over 100 countries. Kennedy signed on behalf of the United States in October 1963, saying, "Today the fear is a little less and the hope a little greater."
Estimated Value $9,500 - 13,500.
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| Realized $6,900 |
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