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 to an overall size of 24.75 x 17, with Lincoln’s transcripts affixed to reverse, along with the typed provenance. 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.
