TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, Congress of the United States letterhead, no date, but postmarked December 31, 1952. Letter to Fall River, Massachusetts, City Councillor Margaret Stinziano. In full: "Since I have just returned from Europe, I have been delayed in telling you how much I appreciate all of your assistance during the past months of the campaign. I am certain that we could never have been successful against the Republican sweep if it had not been for the interest and enthusiasm of people like you. I am aware that you tackled one of the most difficult problems, and the success we did attain was certainly largely due to your efforts. I am looking forward to seeing you sometime soon to thank you personally. I hope you will let me know if there is ever anything I can do." In very good to fine condition, with a horizontal mailing fold affecting tops of a few letters of signature, a central vertical fold, some light creasing and overall wrinkling, and a uniform shade of mild toning. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope bearing a stamped free-frank.
The 1952 Massachusetts Senate election pitted the 35-year-old congressman against a seasoned political veteran from a prominent GOP dynasty, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. Here, JFK praises the efforts of optimistic Democratic volunteers-particularly those from the Bay State-without whom "we could never have been successful against the Republican sweep." Historians contend that Lodge spent too much time rallying support for Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential bid and not enough on his own re-election, but JFK still chose to thank his own workers, noting that "this victory was won by the people such as yourself who carried out the many arduous but necessary tasks which constitute political success." The 1952 senatorial bid resulted in JFK amassing a record-number of signatures for his petition for office-assembling a petition of more than 250,000 signatures. Many of those who signed the petition later become campaign volunteers or workers for Kennedy in their hometowns. A humble tone expressed by the future president. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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