JFK Inauguration Archive, Rare Invitations and Programs, 12 Items

JOHN F. KENNEDY. Archive of twelve items related to John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, 1961. All in very good condition, housed in a protective sleeve.

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States on Friday, January 20, 1961, at the East Portico of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, chaired by Senator John Sparkman, planned the events. Kennedy’s inauguration was the first to be televised in color to a nation and world eager to learn what the youngest man ever elected president would say. His inaugural address is considered among the best presidential inaugural speeches in American history. Among its memorable lines are that quoted above and “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.”

Items and Excerpts

Printed “Statement of Senator John F. Kennedy,” January 2, 1960, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 8? x 10.5?.

“I am announcing today my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.”

“For 18 years I have been in the service of the United States, first as a naval officer in the Pacific during World War II and for the past 14 years as a member of the Congress. In the last 20 years, I have traveled in nearly every continent and country—from Leningrad to Saigon, from Bucharest to Lima. From all of this, I have developed an image of America as fulfilling a noble and historic role as the defender of freedom in a time of maximum peril—and of the American people as confident, courageous and persevering. It is with this image that I begin this campaign.”

“Inaugural Activities, Calendar and Information” for January 18-20, 1961. 2 pp., 7.25? x 10.5?.

Admission Ticket to Reception and Dance, Young Democratic Clubs of America, January 18, 1961. 2 pp., 5? x 3.5?.

Invitation for Inaugural Concert, January 19, 1961, Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 7? x 9.75?.

Printed Response Card for Inaugural Concert, January 19, 1961, with envelope. 1 p., 5.375? x 3.375?.

Invitation for the “Inauguration of John Fitzgerald Kennedy as President of the United States of America and Lyndon Baines Johnson as Vice President of the United States of America,” January 20, 1961, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 8.5? x 11.25?.

Invitation for the Inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States,” January 20, 1961, with enclosed photographs of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on cardstock with facsimile signatures. 3 pp., 6.5? x 10?.

Program for Inauguration Ceremonies, January 20, 1961. 8 pp. + cover, tied with red white and blue ribbon, 6.25? x 9.125?.

Inaugural Parade Ticket Application Blank, January 1961, with “Congress of the United States” envelope. 1p., 8.5? x 5.5?.

Invitation for Inaugural Ball, January 20, 1961,with envelope addressedtoMr.& Mrs.J. J. Pierotich of Biloxi,Mississippi. 1p.,5.75?x7.75?.

John J. Pierotich (1908-1969) hadaservicestation businessand thenpartnered withhis sonin the Harrison AmusementCompany inBiloxi. He married Hilda Fountain(1914-1991) in 1934.

Ticket for Inaugural Ball at Mayflower Hotel,January 20, 1961, with explanation of expansion of Ball to three locations, and Return Check. 3 pp., 4.5? x 2.5? to 4.25? x 3.75?.

Printed Response Card for Inaugural Ball, January 20, 1961, with envelope. 1 p., 5.25? x 3.75?.

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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