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Lot 105
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President Kennedy signed official 1961 State of the Union Address, hand typed and on official governmental water marked paper--only one other known to exist!
President Kennedy signed official 1961 State of the Union Address, hand typed and on official governmental water marked paper--only one other known to exist!
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Description:

Kennedy John

John F. Kennedy's signed State of the Union Address, dated January 30, 1961. Exceptionally rare sixteen-page original manuscript typed on official legal paper watermarked with the Presidential Seal, boldly signed by John F Kennedy as "John F. Kennedy" in black ink on the last page. Hand typed as evidenced by the impressions on the back of the paper. 14" x 8.5". Speech, 14.5" x 9". Binder, 8" x 10". Photo, 9" x 7". Wire Photo. Only one other is known to exist at the National Archives, which interestingly has the same crossed out textual corrections and was signed by Kennedy in a similar manner and location on the final page. We believe this to be a first edition draft alongside the one at the National Archives before the speech was printed out for general consumption. Customarily, the White House staff prints a few originals of the State of the Union address to be signed by the President for the Vice President, Speaker of the House and Congressional Record. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.

JFK took office in an era that was characterized by similar domestic and international unrest, economic woes, and intense threats of war with dire consequences. However our democracy and the political landscape of today is in sharp contrast to the Kennedy administration. In an era mixed between brutal domestic economic transparency combined with the elements of the utmost cloak and dagger/clandestine Cold War tactics, JFK's Presidential legacy is represented by a period of soaring idealism ushering in the dawn of the Camelot era. Governmental reporting on the state of the economy was transparent, even when it displayed the most dire statistics. Journalism was held to an impeccable standard of requiring solid documented sources, and social undercurrents were strongly heard. A refreshing thought contrary to how the political machine functions today with "fake" economic statistics, adjusted "fake" news of employment figures, or adjusted "statistics" on inflation, which with every passing decade are tweaked to not reflect the serious undercurrents of the working middle class.

The Kennedy era was arguably perhaps one of the last where the true economic and social issues of our time were reported, and President Kennedy championed the government head on to deal with our economic, social and political monsters. It was not an era of ignoring the silent majority who are/were struggling and it was not an era of glossing over our economic condition for political trumpeting. Kennedy's bi-partisan approach did not parade the fake glossed over news of the era, but instead the dirty laundry was hung out in front of our nation and he championed our government to fix our problems. Offered here was his remarkable, elegant, sobering, and inspirational State Of The Union Address delivered to Congress January 30, 1961. Aside from the stunning oratory, this spectacular copy is one of only two known first printing hand typed and signed copies of this phenomenal speech!

Kennedy begins with a flash that will set the tone of the speech and then his presidency: "I can vividly recall, sitting where you now sit--including the programs of two great Presidents, the undimmed eloquence of Churchill, the soaring idealism of Nehru, the steadfast words of General de Gaulle".

He addresses the economy and the important issue of gold: "For our monetary and financial position remains exceedingly strong. Including our drawing rights in the International Monetary Fund and the gold reserve held as backing for our currency and Federal Reserve deposits, we have some $22 billion in total gold stocks and other international monetary reserves available-and I now pledge that their full strength stands behind the value of the dollar for use if needed."

At this point JFK turns to foreign affairs, rising tensions in Vietnam and nuclear threats: "Each day we draw nearer the hour of maximum danger, as weapons spread and hostile forces grow stronger. I feel I must inform the Congress that our analyses over the last ten days make it clear that--in each of the principal areas of crisis--the tide of events has been running out and time has not been our friend...In Asia, the relentless pressures of the Chinese Communists menace the security of the entire area--from the borders of India and South Vietnam to the jungles of Laos, struggling to protect its newly-won independence. We seek in Laos what we seek in all Asia, and, indeed, in all of the world-freedom for the people and independence for the government...In Latin America, Communist agents seeking to exploit that region's peaceful revolution of hope have established a base on Cuba, only 90 miles from our shores. Our objection with Cuba is not over the people's drive for a better life. Our objection is to their domination by foreign and domestic tyrannies. Cuban social and economic reform should be encouraged. Questions of economic and trade policy can always be negotiated. But Communist domination in this Hemisphere can never be negotiated".

More specific to the threat of Communism:"Our greatest challenge is still the world that lies beyond the Cold War--but the first great obstacle is still our relations with the Soviet Union and Communist China. We must never be lulled into believing that either power has yielded its ambitions for world domination--ambitions which they forcefully restated only a short time ago. On the contrary, our task is to convince them that aggression and subversion will not be profitable routes to pursue these ends. Open and peaceful competition--for prestige, for markets, for scientific achievement, even for men's minds--is something else again. For if Freedom and Communism were to compete for man's allegiance in a world at peace, I would look to the future with ever increasing confidence."

And then our missile program:"I have directed prompt action to accelerate our entire missile program. Until the Secretary of Defense's reappraisal is completed, the emphasis here will be largely on improved organization and decision making--on cutting down the wasteful duplications and the time-lag that have handicapped our whole family of missiles. If we are to keep the peace, we need an invulnerable missile force powerful enough to deter any aggressor from even threatening an attack that he would know could not destroy enough of our force to prevent his own destruction. For as I said upon taking the oath of office: "Only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed."

As a fitting end to his speech which was given on FDR's birthday, our first Catholic President quotes "the words of a great President" given in Roosevelt's last speech: "We pray that we may be worthy of the unlimited opportunities that God has given us."

It is clear why John Kennedy was so admired for generations after his demise and relatively short Presidential time in office - and why his administration, and all the dreams and aspirations that came to define it, became to be known as the era of Camelot. A fantastic and important piece of history.

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