TLS as president, one page, 6.75 x 9, White House letterhead, March 4, 1961. Letter to B. C. Maday, Associate Professor of Anthropology at American University. In full: “I have recently seen the etching on silk that you were kind enough to bring to the White House. Would you please convey my personal thanks to the Hungarian Refugee Artists in Vienna who painted it. It was most gracious of them to send it to me, and I appreciate their considerate action.” In fine condition, with some slight mirroring of letterhead along bottom, a bit of scattered light toning, and a spot of soiling to right edge. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
Kennedy was a little over a month into his presidency when he received a gift from an American University professor—the aforementioned etching on silk made by Hungarian refugee artists in Austria—generating this response. Nearly 250,000 people left the Hungary during the brief time that the borders were open in the wake of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and continued to defect during tyrannical social rule, including these artists who sought refuge in Vienna. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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