Typed draft letter from President John F. Kennedy, unsigned, one page, 6.75 x 9, White House letterhead, no date (January 1963). A hand-edited draft letter from JFK, who adds two words in his own hand: the first name of the recipient, “Johnny,” striking through the originally typed “Giovanni,” and “now.” The letter, in full: “Many thanks for your kind thought in sending me the bed. It was delivered in person by your American representative Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. The movies are not any better than they were in Florida but it is now more pleasurable to watch them. I shall be in touch with you shortly about the Egyptian matter.” In fine condition, with staple holes and a light paperclip impression to the top edge.
Although uncertain, "the Egyptian matter" may be in reference to the ongoing North Yemen Civil War, which began when a group of military officers, supported by Egypt and the Soviet Union, staged a coup against the ruling monarchy in September 1962. They declared the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR) and began implementing a republican system. The opposing faction, known as the Royalists, which sought to restore the monarchy, was supported by the U.S. government and President John F. Kennedy, who in a letter written to Faisal of Saudi Arabia, dated October 25, but kept confidential until January 1963, said: ‘You may be assured of full US support for the maintenance of Saudi Arabian integrity.’
