Description:

John F. Kennedy
n.p., ca. September 1963
Kennedy Type I Photo with King Zahir Shah & Queen Humaira of Afghanistan by Cecil Stoughton, PSA/DNA Authenticated
Photograph
An authentic Type I photograph by John F. Kennedy's personal photographer Cecil Stoughton, on the White House helicopter landing with King Mohammad Zahir Shah and Queen Humaira Begum of Afghanistan, as well as his sister, Eunice Kennedy on September 5, 1963. The photo measures 5" x 5" color, and is presented in a PSA/DNA slab measuring 6.5" x 10". One negligible stain to left blank margin of image and a pencil notation on verso. Overall very good condition - please see photos.

On February 20, 1963, King Mohammad and Queen Humaira accepted Kennedy's invitation to pay a state visit to the United States. They arrived on September 4, 1963, and thus became the first occasion that an Afghani dignitary visited the country. The King and Queen's visit was celebrated by a state dinner on September 5, 1963 in the Rose Garden, with Kennedy present along with his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

During the King's visit, Kennedy gave a speech on September 6, 1963, welcoming him to the United States and extending greetings and assurances of a continued friendly relationship between the two countries. Kennedy also praised the King for his focus on economic and social progress in Afghanistan.

Interestingly, King Mohammad sent a memorandum to Kennedy before this speech, requesting that he add a sentence saying the United States values the Afghans' contribution to peace within the United Nations. Kennedy's national security advisor Robert W. Komer advised him to decline that request because Afghanistan "…vote[s] with the Asia-Africa bloc against us most of the time; no point in commending them for it…". Instead, Komer suggested that a vague praising of the U.N. may be in order. (jfklibrary.org)

King Mohammad Zahir Shah (1914-2007) was the last King of Afghanistan who ruled for 39 years until he was deposed in 1973 by his cousin and former prime minister, Mohammad Daoud Khan, who established a single party republic.

Humaira Begum (1918-2002) was the wife and first cousin of King Mohammad Zahir Shah. The last Queen consort of Afghanistan, her reign was characterized by progressive efforts on behalf of Afghani women.

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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  • Provenance: PSA/DNA #85196649
  • Dimensions: 6.5" x 10"
  • Medium: Photograph

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