John F. Kennedy 1963 Signed Photograph Inscribed to Bachrach

Vintage matte-finish 7.25 x 9 bust portrait of Kennedy in a pinstriped suit affixed to its original 9.5 x 12.5 mount, signed and inscribed on the mount in fountain pen, “For Fabian Bachrach, With warm regards, John F. Kennedy.” The photo also features a gold embossed photographer’s stamp reading, “Fabian Bachrach” in the lower right corner. Gorgeously double-matted and framed with an engraved plaque to an overall size of 24 x 30.5. In fine condition.

According to Bachrach family legend, this portrait of Kennedy—the photographer’s most famous, among an astonishingly wide array of celebrity photos—almost failed to be. When Senator Kennedy sat for his photo in 1959, Bachrach returned to the studio to find that there were no useable images—all were either out of focus or showed Kennedy, suffering from chronic back pain, awkwardly standing. Desperate for a second chance, Bachrach phoned Kennedy’s office repeatedly, finally receiving an appointment for another session in the summer of 1960. With his subject detained by all-night Senate proceedings, the photographer was about to leave when Kennedy finally appeared. With time for only six shots, he worked quickly and expertly, capturing not only what would become the presidential portrait—the image offered here—but also the wildly popular image of Kennedy seated in his leather armchair with the American flag behind him. As the only known print of this portrait holding the gold embossed Bachrach stamp, inscribed to Fabian Bachrach himself, this is a one-of-a-kind example of the most iconic presidential photo in American history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=64

Lee Harvey Oswald Vintage ballpoint signature

Vintage ballpoint signature, “Lee H. Oswald,” on an off-white slip clipped from a larger document. Matted with a color magazine image of Oswald’s mug shot and a small plaque to an overall size of 13 x 19.25. In fine condition. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=160

Albert Einstein Handwritten mathematical expressions

Extraordinary handwritten mathematical expressions and notes in Einstein’s hand on both sides of an off-white 8.5 x 11 sheet of New York’s Hotel Commodore letterhead, no date, but likely 1921. On the front of the sheet, side, he pens ten lines of notes in German regarding the purchase of a boat, listing five Berlin residents advertising boats for sale along with their prices, in full (translated): “Mrs. Lippert—German Workshop for Leather industry—Noll 1436. How much does the boat cost? Length, surface of the sail, how many sails? How many persons? Kurfürst 8143 Price? Amount of sails and surfaces. Name? Weight-bearing capacity? Kreutner, Hannoversche Strasse 2, Berlin N.W.O. Price 16500. Letter regarding inspection / Karl Weber, Price 15000, Grünstrasse 16, Berlin—letter regarding inspection / J. Padschadel, Jasmundstrasse 8—letter regarding inspection, price 15000, 22 square meters surface of sail.” On the reverse of the sheet, Einstein pens a series of seven mathematical expressions. Intersecting folds, light scattered creases, and slight foxing, otherwise fine condition; the mathematical side of the sheet also bears an ink notation in an unknown hand.

In 1921, Einstein received a celebrity’s welcome when he arrived in New York for his first visit to the United States. Staying at the Hotel Commodore, he gave three weeks of lectures and attended countless receptions in his honor before moving on in his travels. Passionate about sailing since his university days, embracing the solitude and simplicity of being at sea, the jet-setting physicist now had his sights set on buying a boat of his own upon his return to Germany; making a list of sellers in Berlin, he questions prices, sail sizes and numbers, weight-bearing capacities, etc. Eight years later, in honor of his 50th birthday, he was given a custom-made ship, which he held as one of his most prized possessions: when asked in 1933 if he would renounce other loyalties to be an American citizen (which he had just become), he cheerfully replied that he ‘would even renounce [his] cherished sailboat’ if necessary. With the wonderful sailing association on one side and always-sought-after equations on the other, this is a highly desirable piece from the legendary physicist. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

 http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=448

John F. Kennedy Black Necktie

One of John F. Kennedy’s personally-owned and -worn neckties. Solid black tie bears a Wembley Priestly’s Nor-East maker’s label on the underside. Accompanied by a copy of a letter of authenticity from David J. Powers, the son of Kennedy’s special assistant David F. Powers, which states, “This solid black Wembley tie…was worn by JFK and subsequently ended up with my father…My father carefully separated this tie from others that were his alone and preserved it among his valuable memorabilia.” In fine condition. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=71

Lee Harvey Oswald 1953 Arrest Card

Original New York Police Department partly-printed arrest disposition card for Lee Oswald, one page, 6 x 4, April 16, 1953. Oswald, age 13 of 825 East 179 St. and student at “P.S. 44,” is arrested for “Juv. Del.” with a specific offense of “Warrant, Habitual Truant.” The arrest was made at the request of James Brennan, an attendance officer with the Board of Education. In very good condition, with overall creases and a punch hole to the lower left. Originally obtained by a longtime NYPD officer in charge of disposing of old records after they were committed to microfilm. In interviews with the police, Oswald said that he had better things to do than go to school, and disliked his teachers and classmates. Because his mother was ineffective in ensuring that Oswald went to school, he was remanded to Youth House for psychiatric observation. Here, a doctor determined that Oswald’s difficulties resulted from ‘emotional isolation and deprivation, lack of affection, absence of family life, and rejection by a self involved and conflicted mother,’ and recommended that he go to therapy with a male psychiatrist to help substitute for the lack of a father figure. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=172

John F. Kennedy Air Force One Passenger List

Original passenger manifest from Air Force One for Kennedy’s November 1963 trip to Texas, 8 x 10.5, 6 pages, November 21, 1963. The first page identifies the plane as “VC-137C - 26000,” is stamped twice, “For Official Use Only,” and bears a ballpoint notation, “AF #1, Guard.” First page consists of the passenger list for the flight from Andrews Air Force Base to San Antonio on November 21, with especially notable passengers including “The President,” “Mrs Kennedy,” “Mr. David F. Powers,” “Senator Ralph Yarborough,” “Mrs Evelyn Lincoln,” and “Mr. Clint Hill.” This list was evidently used as a checklist to make sure everyone made it aboard. Page two is for their next flight later that day, from San Antonio to Houston, with the notable additions of “Governor Connally” and “Mrs Connally.” Following this is the list of passengers flying from Houston to Fort Worth, set to take off at 10:30 p.m. and land 45 minutes later. The most historic page is the fourth, for the flight from Fort Worth to Dallas on the morning of November 22, taking off at 11:15 a.m. and landing 20 minutes later at Love Field. Despite two more scheduled flights, this was the last Kennedy would take—he was assassinated during the motorcade from Love Field to the Dallas Trade Mart. Had the trip gone as planned, Kennedy would have left Dallas for Austin at 2:35 p.m., stayed the night, and flown to Dulles International the following day at 2:15 p.m. Central vertical and horizontal folds and some soiling to the first page, otherwise fine condition. Originates from the estate of Sgt. Thomas Webb, the first crew chief of the Air Force One jet, a Boeing VC-137C, tail number 2600 (as indicated in this manifest). Also accompanied by two LBJ pins and gallery admission card. A remarkable official piece from what would become a national day of mourning. RR Auction COA.

 http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=125

John F. Kennedy Hotel Texas Presidential Phones

Pair of cream-colored rotary telephones from the presidential suite of the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, used by the Kennedys on November 21, 1963, the night before traveling to Dallas. Both were manufactured by Western Electric, embellished with White House emblems in the center of the dials, and installed in the hotel specifically for the president’s visit. In overall very good condition, with general scattered surface spotting and soiling, and a hairline crack above the dial of one phone; one phone retains its original four-prong plug at the end of the cord, and end of the other cord has been severed and plug is absent. 

When President and Mrs. Kennedy arrived at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, on November 21, they found the Presidential Suite, #850, perfectly to their liking, from the priceless artwork adorning the walls to the two Southwestern Bell phones installed just for their brief stay. On the morning of the 22nd, Kennedy left his room to speak at a breakfast hosted by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce before heading outside to address a crowd of thousands. After departing for Dallas, the room was cleared—the art returned to the museums and private collectors who donated it for the day, and the phones returned to the Southwestern Bell warehouse. It was from there that a district sales and service manager (and staunch Kennedy supporter) bought the pair as souvenirs, taking advantage of his company’s policy of allowing employees to buy directly from the warehouse. A charming memento from the site of Kennedy’s final speech. RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=128

Lee Harvey Oswald 1962 Autograph Letter Signed

ALS signed “Lee & Marina,” three pages, lightly-lined on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 8, January 30, 1962. Letter to his brother Robert. In full (spelling and grammar retained): “Well, I haven’t heard from you for quite a while either you’re not writing or your letters aren’t getting through to me. I told you in my last letter that we have finilly been granted exit visa’s for leaving the Soviet Union we’ll probably be in the states in the spring. You once said that you asked around about weather or not the U.S. goverment had any charges against me, you said at that time ‘no,’ maybe possible now that goverment knows I’m coming they’ll have something waiting. Mother wrote me a letter the other day in which she informed me that the Marine Corps had given me a dishonorable discharge in Nov. 1959. Did you know this? Of course, this is not too bad, since it relives me of reserve duty, but still I should take this into account

I wrote a letter to John B. Connally Secretary of the Navy who lives in Ft. Worth asking about my dishonorable discharge maybe you could ask him to look into the case since I don’t know whether the Russians will let that letter through. You said you were sending us something but be still having gotten anything don’t worry packages are very slow coming and going. The Embassy said they will see about a loan for us when we leave so it seems our money problem will not be too acute. Marina still has a month too go so by the time you get this letter you’ll be pretty close too being an uncle. March 1 is the big day. Marina sends her love to all, as I do hope to see you all soon. I really don’t know where we’ll settle I’d sort of like New Orleans. How’s the hunting out at the farm? How the weather and all? If you find out any information about me, please let me know, I’d like to be ready on the draw so to speak. We’ll keep writing until we get ready to leave so don’t quit writing.” In fine condition, with a couple unobtrusive stains, a slight vertical wrinkle passing between names in the signature (neither of which detract from the terrific overall appearance of the letter), and a trimmed top edge where Warren Commission label was once affixed; this was exhibit 314. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.

Concerned that his actions in the Soviet Union would make him a target upon his return to the States, Oswald sought his brother Robert’s help in gathering as much information as possible regarding any issues the government may have with him before he arrived. In the letter to John Connally referenced here, Oswald demanded that the then-secretary of the Navy ‘repair the damage done’ to him and his family with the dishonorable discharge, menacingly exclaiming, ‘I shall employ all means to right this gross mistake or injustice to a boni-fied U.S. citizen and ex-serviceman.’ By the time Connally received the letter, he was no longer with the Navy, having announced his retirement at the close of 1961 to run in the upcoming gubernatorial election, and happily passed it to his successor, washing his hands of Oswald until the two would meet again on that tragic day in November—the only other victim in the shooting that killed Kennedy, Connally was seriously injured while riding in the president’s car, suffering from major wounds in his chest, wrist and thigh. Combining pleasant personal conversation—“by the time you get this letter you’ll be pretty close too being an uncle”—with comments revealing his constant fear of persecution—“maybe possible now that goverment knows I’m coming they’ll have something waiting”—this is a fascinating letter offering a glimpse into Oswald’s thoughts just months before returning to Texas. RR Auction COA.

 http://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=169

John F. Kennedy’s 18k Gold Presidential Ring

Elegant custom-made one-of-a-kind 18k gold handcrafted ring presented to President Kennedy by his wife Jacqueline in 1963. According to Kennedy’s secretary Evelyn Lincoln it was crafted by Cartier, though due to its being privately made, it bears no official maker’s mark. The 18 karat gold ring bears a detailed engraving of the presidential seal on the outside, and is hand-engraved on the inside, “J. B. K. to J. F. K.” Accompanied by a November 21, 1982 letter of provenance from Kennedy’s secretary Evelyn Lincoln, written on White House stationery, which reads, in part: “The 18K Gold Cartier handcrafted ring with the delicate and detailed Presidential Seal is a paramount example of a JFK personal item. After John F. Kennedy was inaugurated on January 20, 1961, it was approved for design by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Accordingly, she had it hand-engraved on the interior band with ‘JBK to JFK’ in an intricate script design. As I recall, it was meant to be worn by JFK on his left ring finger or the right pinkie. It was Mrs. Kennedy’s policy that some personal items could not be marked by the companies chosen by her, if she selected them to create special items or high quality gifts for JFK…When the President left his Oval Office for Dallas, I accompanied him. It was such a horrible time. Anyway, he left the ‘JBK to JFK’ ring in his desk drawer. I retrieved it upon my return.” A beautifully crafted and deeply personal gift from the First Lady. In fine, near mint condition. Provenance: The Raleigh DeGeer Amyx Collection. RR Auction COA.

 http://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=22

Norman Rockwell signed lithograph entitled Boy Gazing at Pictures of Glamorous Stars

Attractive color limited edition 20.5 x 25 lithograph entitled ‘Boy Gazing at Pictures of Glamorous Stars,’ artist’s proof, signed in the lower border in pencil by Rockwell. Matted and professionally framed with conservation glass to an overall size of 29.5 x 34.5. In fine condition. Oversized. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Charles Flint Rockwell Museum authenticator.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=589

Laurel and Hardy signed and inscribed photo

Vintage matte-finish 10 x 8 photo of the comedic duo posing side-by-side in their bowler hats, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen “Hello Minnie! Stan Laurel,” and “Oliver Hardy.” In fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=976

Camille Pissarro Boldly-penned ALS in French

Highly regarded French painter (1830–1903), and one of the leading figures of the impressionist movement, best known for his distinctive pointillist style. Boldly-penned ALS in French, signed “C. Pissarro,” one page both sides, 4 x 6.25, September 23, 1896. Letter to his wife. In full (translated): “Enclosed is a letter from Georges which I received yesterday evening. This morning I received one from Lucien which I’ll send you after answering it. What weather! Impossible to open the windows yesterday. Nevertheless I was able to work a little, but just a little…Today I very nicely made up for that—and I’m really exhausted! It’s still very windy and I don’t dare go out. It’s been at least four days since I haven’t budged from my window. My studies are proceeding. Unfortunately the more I advance the less satisfied I am. If you could see the extraordinary changes in the (atmospheric) effects—and of such a rare beauty. What produces that character of beauty is all the activity in the port—from my window it’s much more beautiful than at the Hotel de Paris—with three points of view I can do a hundred paintings. In sum, I’m really giving it the gun and it’s going pretty well.” In fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

 http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=584

Babe Ruth Personal Check

Personal check, 8 x 3, filled out and signed by Ruth, “G. H. Ruth,” payable to Cash for $150.00, October 18, 1940. Attractively matted and framed with a vintage hand-drawn portrait of Ruth on the dugout steps to an overall size of 18 x 22. In fine condition, with expected cancellation holes and bank notations (none affecting the choice signature). Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=1314

Queen Victoria Original signed sketch of Italian opera singer Giulia Grissi

Original signed pencil sketch of Italian opera singer Giulia Grissi in character on an off-white 7 x 9 sheet, drawn by Princess Victoria at age 16. Signed and captioned at the bottom in pencil, “Victoria, del: Aug: 14th 1835, Mdme. G. Grissi as Elvira in I Puritani in her 1st dress.” Attractively cloth-matted and framed to an overall size of 13.5 x 15.5. Subtle intersecting folds and overall foxing, otherwise fine condition. I Puritani is a three-act opera by Vincenzo Bellini, which first opened in Paris in January 1835 before making its British debut at King’s Theatre in London on May 21. I Puritani was known to be Victoria’s favorite opera and the first which she attended in the company of Prince Albert before their marriage. An immensely desirable, one-of-a-kind item due to its close association with her personal life and the scarcity of such a piece. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=267

Paul Newman Exceptionally Early Portrait

Scarce early vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 head-and-shoulders publicity photo of Newman, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Frank, Best Wishes, Paul Newman.” Subtle scattered foxing and some creases and adhesive remnants to borders, otherwise fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.    

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=988

Charles Lindbergh Rare Bankers Trust Company uncancelled check

Rare Bankers Trust Company uncancelled check, 7.25 x 2.75, filled out in another hand and signed by Lindbergh, “$1.50 C. A. Lindbergh,” payable to Luttman’s Luggage Shop for $1.50, April 14, 1931. Several unobtrusive flattened vertical folds, a few creases, and overall toning, otherwise fine condition. It is interesting to note that Lindbergh’s payment is to a luggage store, since flight would go on to revolutionize travel in the ensuing years. While checks endorsed by Lindbergh occasionally enter the marketplace, ‘true’ checks signed on the front are few and far between—this is the first we have ever offered. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=461