Fountain pen used by President Kennedy to sign the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Bill. Presidential Lucite and black plastic Esterbrook fountain pen measures 6? long has “The President—The White House,” printed on the clear portion of the pen, and still retains some ink on the nib. Pen comes with a cardboard box which is labeled in an unknown hand, “#1576, Pen actually used by Kennedy.” Attractively matted and framed with a descriptive plaque and a photo of Kennedy presenting a pen to his sister Eunice, at the signing to an overall size of 16 x 19. This pen was used by Kennedy in the Cabinet Room of the White House as a bill signing ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on October 24, 1963. One of several pens used that day to sign the bill, this pen was presented to Mr. John G. Fettinger, president of the National Association for Retarded Children. Pen is accompanied by a second-generation photo from the bill signing ceremony, with the president handing one of the pens to his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver, with Fettinger, his wife, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and others in the background. Also included are Fettinger’s official White House invitation to the bill signing, as well as its original envelope. Several other photos of Kennedy speaking on the subject, with Fettinger seated by his side, as well as several other pieces of correspondence to Fettinger from the Kennedy family, as well as Lyndon Johnson, all bearing printed signatures. According to the JFK Library, this was the second or third to last bill-signing ceremony of Kennedy’s presidency, and one which was no doubt very close to his heart as mental handicap research and treatment were a personal issue for the family due in part to his sister Rosemary’s affliction.
