Kennedy’s unsigned handwritten notes on two off-white 4.25 x 7
lightly-lined sheets. Over 70 words in Kennedy’s hand, with complete
transcriptions done by Evelyn Lincoln accompanying the piece. A sampling
of the notes includes: “Mobilized resources however vast they may be.do
[sic] not win wars—Barbara Ward Policy of the West,” “German armament;
contingents no larger than brigade groups start at size of German force
not to exceed 1/5 of all forces,” and “Says many communist in Italy are
so because of domestic matters. Says one of the greatest difficulties of
getting Italians to make war effort is that they do not feel that they
are equal to other countries because of peace treaty.” A typed letter of
provenance accompanies the notes and reads, “John F. Kennedy always
kept a small, black notebook accessible so that he could jot down
thoughts that came to him…After recording his thoughts he would tear out
the page and keep it handy for future reference. The handwritten notes,
which you now have in your possession, are two of those pages.”
Archivally matted and framed with a portrait of Kennedy on the phone and
jotting down some notes, with Lincoln’s transcripts affixed to reverse,
along with the typed provenance, to an overall size of 24.75 x 17. In
fine condition, with the writing on one page a couple shades light but
still completely legible, and a couple trivial ink brushes to the second
page. With a notable reference to British economist and Cambridge
friend Barbara Ward’s Policy for the West, a book that greatly impacted
Kennedy’s views on international politics, this item gives an
extraordinary glimpse into the unedited thoughts of the future
president. Oversized. RR Auction COA.
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