[Presidential] Kennedy, John F.
Presidential Doodle
No place, ca. 1960s. 7 1/4 x 4 3/8 inches. On the president's gold-embossed "Aboard Air Force One" letterhead. Penciled depiction of a Mercury space capsule with the capitalized and boldly highlighted letters spelling "NASA" above the spacecraft, possibly on a tailfin. Above that is Kennedy's design of six arrows emanating from a central point. Though unsigned, sketches accomplished by JFK as president are exceedingly rare.
Originally in the collection of Kennedy's longtime friend and colleague, Congressman Michael J. Kirwan of Ohio (1886-1970). Kirwan and JFK worked together from 1947, when Kennedy was first elected to Congress, until his death in 1963.
Provenance: Mrs. Michael J. Kirwan, thence by gift to present owner.