|
1106001
John F. Kennedy
Jacqueline B. Kennedy
Click on image for larger size
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1917-1963, and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, 1929-1994. 35th President of the United States and First Lady of the United States, respectively, 1961-1963. Engraved White House vignette inscribed and signed John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.
This is an extremely rare piece. President Kennedy's signed White House vignettes are virtually nonexistent. In his UACC article White House Vignettes, Skip Hensel classified them as "extremely rare." He noted that he had seen three but believed that they all bore either Autopen or secretarial signatures. Our research of auction records over the last 38 years found the sales of three others signed by Jacqueline Kennedy—but none signed by the President. This is the first one that we have ever seen.
This piece has an excellent association as well. Mrs. Kennedy has inscribed it “To – Mr. and Mrs. Don Hewitt / with best wishes.” Hewitt, of CBS News, directed the telecasts of the four 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debates, the first presidential debates ever televised. The first debate was the turning point in what ended as one of the closest presidential elections in American history. The poise and charisma of the photogenic Kennedy, who understood the power of television, played perfectly to the 70 million viewers. Those who watched on television overwhelmingly thought that Kennedy won, while those who only listened on radio thought that Nixon won. Kennedy went from a slight deficit in the polls to a slight lead after the first debate and never lost his lead.
This 6" x 8" vignette is from an engraving that dates to the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt. It shows a horse-drawn carriage in the White House drive and people strolling along the sidewalk. President Kennedy has signed it in black fountain pen, using the scarcer form of his signature that includes the middle initial "F." Mrs. Kennedy has inscribed and signed it in blue ballpoint. The handwriting of both is bold.
The vignette is toned from prior framing, but overall it is in fine condition.
Unframed.
_____________
This item has been sold, but
click here to see other
Presidents and First Ladies items
that we are offering.
|
