Original 1960 John F. Kennedy presidential campaign hat. Molded white plastic hat measures 11.5″ in diameter, with a red, white, and blue “Win With Kennedy” banner around the upper portion and a clipped circular portrait of Kennedy affixed to the top by two pieces of tape. Signed on the top image in black ballpoint by Kennedy. Signature was acquired at an October campaign rally in Paducah, Kentucky, and is accompanied by a letter of provenance from the original recipient. The letter reads, in part, “The John F. Kennedy autograph…was signed at a political rally at the airport in Paducah, Kentucky. It was either September or October 1960. My husband…had called to him so much that he came down off the platform to shake hands. I took off my hat and he signed it in our presence.” Also included are photocopies from the October 9, 1960, Paducah Sun-Democrat chronicling Kennedy’s visit and subsequent unscheduled handshaking. Tape on top evenly toned, a few small cracks to plastic, and a couple small tears to banner, otherwise fine condition. Despite Kennedy’s hands-on approach to campaigning through Kentucky, he would lose the state in the 1960 presidential election. RR Auction COA.
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