Description:

John F. Kennedy
Washington, DC, ca. November 1961
Six Vintage Photos from the Pablo Casals Concert at the Kennedy White House by Camelot Photographer Mark Shaw, With Rare Studio Stamp, Type 1
Archive

John F. Kennedy. A wonderful archive of six vintage black and white prints taken by photographer Mark Shaw at Pablo Casals' special concert at the White House on November 13, 1961. It features images of Casals, John and Jackie Kennedy, Teddy Sorensen, and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. New York: Mark Shaw, 1962-63. Each measuring 13.5" x 9". Type 1. Red and black pencil notations along with Shaw's studio stamp at versos. Prints may exhibit some tiny scattered surface marks; very minor isolated areas of discoloration; light corner creases, some with negligible loss; and wear to edges of prints, but they are still quite exceptional and suitable for framing.

President Kennedy believed that the arts were a crucial part of democracy. In November of 1961, Kennedy invited Casals to perform at the White House. Casals had been in retirement for some time, in part as a protest against Franco's government in Spain. However, Casals had previously played at the White House for Theodore and Edith Roosevelt and he happily embraced the opportunity to perform there again for the young president. The concert was everything Kennedy had anticipated and a recording was eventually released for the public. At the concert, Casals was as impressed by Kennedy as Kennedy was by him. Understandably, Casals was devastated by Kennedy's assassination. He wrote about it at length in his autobiography. In particular, Casals recognized the potential of the Kennedy administration, especially how it might have disseminated liberal values worldwide.

The photographs depict: 1) Pablo Casals walking across the East Room holding his cello; 2) Casals whispering in John Kennedy's ear as Jackie looks on amid a crowd of concert attendees; 3) Casals talking to John Kennedy with the concert-goers in the background; 4) John Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy, Teddy Sorensen, and Alice Roosevelt Longworth in conversation; 5) Jackie Kennedy deep in conversation with Alice Roosevelt Longworth, surrounded by other concert-goers and with a White House attendant in the background; and 6) a picture of an empty East Room set up for Casals' concert.

Just as Abraham Lincoln thought Mathew Brady's photography won him the presidency, so Jackie Kennedy thought Mark Shaw's pictures helped her husband win the 1960 election" (Sullivan, 492).

Mark Shaw quickly became a family friend and was a frequent guest in the Kennedy home. Allowed complete access to the family, Shaw began to take photographs of the Kennedys in Georgetown and in Washington; on vacation in Hyannis Port and elsewhere; and even in the White House once Kennedy was elected President.

Pablo Casals (1876-1973) was a Spanish and Puerto Rican cellist, composer, and conductor. He made many recordings throughout his career of solo, chamber, and orchestral music, including some as conductor, but he is perhaps best remembered for the recordings he made of the Cello Suites by Bach. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, though the ceremony was presided over by Lyndon B. Johnson.

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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  • Dimensions: 13.5" x 9"
  • Medium: Archive

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