Description:

John F. Kennedy "Let Us Begin" Holograph on WH Stationery As Featured in Inaugural Address, With Book Editor's Remarkable Provenance!

A leaf of White House stationery inscribed by 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) as: "Let us begi[n] / Let us [begin] / Le[t] us [begin]." President Kennedy provided these "Let us begin" holographs for visual incorporation into the front cover of an illustrated book, ed. Richard Grossman, "The First 100 Days of the Kennedy Administration: Let Us Begin" (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961). Kennedy's manuscript, though partially obscured by an ink stain, is remarkable because "Let us begin" is a phrase he used twice in his 1961 inaugural speech, and holograph excerpts of this speech are virtually unobtainable. Accompanied by outstanding provenance by Richard Grossman; as well as a first edition hardcover copy of the book in question.

The lot includes:

1. A 1p leaf of watermarked White House stationery inscribed by President Kennedy as: "Let us begi[n] / Let us [begin] / Le[t] us [begin]." Embossed "The White House / Washington" at the letterhead. N.d. but ca. early 1961. [Washington, D.C.] Kennedy has provided three writing samples, from top to bottom, of the phrase "Let us begin." Expected wear including scattered wrinkles, edge darkening, and foxing. A large and amorphous ink stain covers part of the center, right side, and bottom of the page, and obscures one complete word (second "begin") and partly obscures three incomplete words (first "begin," third "let" and third "begin.") Else good. 8" x 10.5."

President Kennedy used the phrase "Let us begin" twice in his 1961 inaugural speech, once when alluding to refreshing relations with the United States's Cold War enemy, the Soviet Union; and the second more famous instance when he invoked a sense of optimism: "All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin."

The ink stain, although the result of an accident, can be read creatively. The stain seems to symbolize how Kennedy's life--embodied by his words--would be cut short through assassination.

Provenance

The item is accompanied by provenance from Richard Grossman (1921-2014), who, as a vice president and senior editor at the publishing house Simon & Schuster, oversaw the publishing process of the book as well as the collection of President Kennedy's handwriting sample. In a 1p typed document on watermarked laid "Richard Grossman" letterhead, Grossman explains the premise of the project, as well as the circumstances behind its condition. Expected wear including gentle wrinkles, else near fine, 8.5" x 11."

Grossman states in part:

"Shortly after the election of John F. Kennedy in 1960, the photographer Cornell Capa of the famous Magnum Agency, suggested to me that it might be a good idea to create a book [soon to become "The First 100 Days of the Kennedy Administration: Let Us Begin"] that documented the early days of an Administration that seemed to hold the promise of creating an era of excitement and reform…We accomplished the goal, the book being published on May 2nd, 1961…

A note about the handwritten title of the book, 'Let Us Begin - ' on White House stationery: President Kennedy was aware of and approved the book project. Knowing that we were emphasizing the significance of his inaugural address (we used his handwritten notes as endpapers and including an LP recording of the speech), he agreed to do some calligraphy of the phrase 'Let Us Begin…' for the dust jacket. He filled two pages of White House stationery with his attempts to create a usable version. He succeeded, and the other experimental page I retained as a memento. Unfortunately, I kept it unprotected in a desk drawer, and at some a person cleaning the apartment spilled a bottle of ink on it, creating an eradicable stain…"

2. Also included is a first edition hardcover copy of ed. Richard Grossman, "The First 100 Days of the Kennedy Administration: Let Us Begin" (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961). Stated "First Printing" on the copyright page. The book runs 145 copiously illustrated pages featuring photographs after Cornell Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and other Magnum Photos house photographers. Blue cloth boards with red and silver embossed lettering on the covers and spine. With the original dust jacket showing the unclipped retail price of $4.95 on the right flap (the price reflects the inclusion of the LP.) A 33 1/3 RPM double-sided LP featuring a recording of President Kennedy reading the inaugural speech is housed in a pocket on the back endpaper; the LP measures 6.876" dia. Expected wear including edge wear and scattered loss to the original dust jacket, and some sunning to the top edge of the head. Minor toning and edge darkening within, else near fine. 8.75" x 11.25" x .675."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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