BOSTON, MASS.- RR Auction announced its November Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction. This auction offers a diverse selection spanning politics, history, and culture, providing a unique opportunity to acquire pieces of great historical significance.
As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's tragic passing, this auction features a special section dedicated to JFK's presidency and his early career.
One of the standout pieces is an insightful and historic diary penned by John F. Kennedy during the summer of 1945. This remarkable diary comprises 61 pages, including 12 handwritten and 49 typed pages, offering an intimate glimpse into the experiences of the young JFK in his role as a special correspondent for Hearst Newspapers. The diary takes us on a journey, from his attendance at the opening session of the United Nations in San Francisco in May to his extensive travels through post-war Europe during the summer of 1945.
Kennedy followed Prime Minister Churchill throughout England during his re-election campaign, then journeyed to Ireland and France. His travels led him to witness the Potsdam Conference with Navy Secretary James Forrestal, the stark reality of war ruins in Germany, and even the chilling remnants of Hitler's bombed-out bunker in Berlin and the infamous Berchtesgaden' Eagle's Nest’ mountain retreat.
Reflecting on the scene, Kennedy records his shocking and prescient views of Hitler: "After visiting these two places, you can easily understand how that within a few years Hitler will emerge from the hatred that surrounds him now as one of the most significant figures who ever lived. He had boundless ambition for his country which rendered him a menace to the peace of the world, but he had a mystery about him in the way he lived and in the manner of his death that will live and grow after him. He had in him the stuff of which legends are made.”
“Kennedy’s diary is a fascinating account of the transformation of the wounded war hero to becoming his controlling father's pick to enter into politics," said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. "Amongst these pages, Kennedy leaves his first-hand account of his visits to Hitler's destroyed bunker and Bertesgaden, where JFK, thankfully, wrongly predicts in writing that in a few years, Adolf Hitler will rise from the ashes to be regarded as a great man and a legend."
The bulk of the diary's interest comes in Kennedy's typed entries, which are rife with astute observations on world politics in the aftermath of the war.
Another significant highlight in this auction is an archive of letters addressed to the mother of Harold Marney, a lost crew member of PT-109. This poignant collection includes a Purple Heart medal, photographs, and family documents, documenting 18 years of correspondence between John F. Kennedy and Harold's mother. These letters provide a touching portrayal of JFK's extraordinary character, compassion, empathy, and loyalty. They illuminate the essence of the young man who would become the President of the United States, and they chronicle a mother's emotional journey as she grappled with her son's "missing in action" status and, eventually, his tragic death.
A unique historical artifact up for auction is an original window from the Texas School Book Depository, the building from which the shots were fired on November 22, 1963, leading to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This window sash, measuring 40.5 x 32.25 inches, retains its original glass and dark green paint, along with lock hardware and rope cords on the sides, connecting us to the fateful day in Dallas.
Adding to the intrigue, Lee Harvey Oswald's first gun, an antique Iver Johnson First Model Safety Automatic Hammerless Top Break revolver in .38 caliber, is featured in this auction. Included is a letter of provenance signed by Lee's brother, Robert L. Oswald, telling the story of the gun, in part: At the time, my mother, Lee and I were living in an apartment in Fort Worth, Texas, I told Lee that he had no business having a gun. I don't know where it came from, how he got it, or where he got it. I told him I'd give him ten dollars for it.”
For JFK assassination conspiracy theories enthusiasts, a substantial section of the picket fence from the 'grassy knoll' at Dealey Plaza is available. This section of picket fence is undeniably linked to the grassy knoll and provides a tangible connection to this enduring historical mystery. It comes from the collection of Kennedy assassination researcher Larry Howard, the President of the JFK Assassination Information Center in Dallas. It is accompanied by a letter of provenance from his daughter.
The auction also showcases an array of signed JFK photographs from various eras and other remarkable items.
Among other auction highlights is a complete set of 'American Statesman' books with rare tipped-in autographs of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and many other prominent figures. The auction also includes important letters by Martin Luther King, Jr., Albert Einstein, and Charles Darwin and significant signed portraits of Winston Churchill, Pablo Picasso, and Edouard Manet.
