Description:

John F. Kennedy Signed 1960 Nebraska Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner Program

A program from the 1960 Nebraska Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner held in Omaha, Nebraska on May 7, 1960, signed by future 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), as "John Kennedy" on the "Autographs" page at the back of the booklet. N.S. Yaffe Printing Co. (Omaha, Nebraska). With red velveteen wrappers and a tricolored string tied into a bow at the side. The front cover is stamped in silver as "1960 / Nebraska / Jefferson-Jackson / Day Dinner / Omaha Civic Auditorium / May 7, 1960." Some light wrinkles are located towards the upper left corner of the pages nearest the stapled binding, and there are a few minor smudges throughout. A few edge or corner folds to the covers, else near fine. 12pp. 9" x 6.5." Accompanied by provenance material further elaborated below.

The program is divided into the following sections, many with lists of members: 1960 Democratic Century Club of Nebraska; State Executive Committee; Dinner Committee; Head Table and Special Guests; Program; Democratic Party Candidates; Menu; and Autographs. Senator Kennedy was a keynote speaker, along with the following headlining guests:

- William Stuart Symington III (1901-1988), U.S. Senator from Missouri between 1953-1976.

- Ralph G. Brooks (1898-1960), Governor of Nebraska between 1959-1960; Brooks would die just four months after the event in September 1960.

- Orville Freeman (1918-2003), Governor of Minnesota between 1955-1961, and later appointed as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in the Kennedy administration.

- John Rosenblatt (1907-1979), the second Jewish Mayor of Omaha, who administered the city from 1954-1961.

John F. Kennedy, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts since 1953, had announced his intention to run as a Democratic Party presidential candidate just five months earlier, in January 1960. National Jefferson-Jackson Day events represented some of the most important political fundraising opportunities of the year, and this one, in a presidential election year, was imbued with especial significance for the handsome, young Senator. Kennedy's keynote speech for this event was entitled "The Presidential Primary--and Your Vote." Earlier in February 1960, Senator Kennedy had delivered an address at a Jefferson-Jackson Day event in Hartford, Connecticut, and he would give remarks to a Jefferson-Jackson Day brunch crowd in Middleton, Ohio in October 1960. These Jefferson Jackson Day events proved invaluable in galvanizing Democratic voters across the country.

Kennedy eked out a narrow victory in the 1960 presidential election, defeating Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon by only 112,000 popular votes and 84 Electoral College ballots. Kennedy's first presidential term was cut short by his assassination in November 1963.

Provenance:

The Kennedy signed program is accompanied by two items establishing that the autograph was collected by Reverend Richard Harrington, SJ, a Professor of English at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

- A half paper slip pre-printed "Office Memorandum - The Creighton University" at top, possibly handwritten by Reverend Harrington in the subject section as: "There's an autograph on the second last page. It may be valuable some day!"

- A 1p autograph letter signed by Reverend Harrington's brother, Rodger V. Harrington (1914-2000), requesting an appraisal of the Kennedy signed program from a local autograph dealer. Dated November 18, 1992. In part: "The program is part of a booklet of five pages, listing all Democrats running for state and local offices. Senator Stuart Symington and Senator Kennedy were being honored and spoke at the dinner. My brother Father Richard Harrington S.J. of Creighton University was on the dias [sic], and obtained the autograph. There is no question as to its authenticity, and it is not an autopen signature…"

Reverend Richard Harrington served as a Professor of English at Creighton University, a Jesuit college in Omaha, Nebraska established in 1878, between 1956 and at least 1971. A very nice biography of Harrington appears in the 1965 issue of the Creighton University yearbook, the "Bluejay." Harrington had transferred to Creighton from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. By 1965, he had been promoted to Vice President for Academic Affairs at Creighton University.

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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