Official Rawlings Gyro-Metric R25 Hank Stram–model football thrown by Kennedy during a campaign event in Newport Beach on June 2, 1968. Recently serviced by Rawlings, who replaced the inner bladder and laces so that the ball will hold air. In very good condition, with scattered marks and scuffs from use. Accompanied by four original color glossy 4 x 4 photos of Kennedy at the event, including one with the football in the air after Kennedy’s throw. Also includes a letter of provenance from the owner, describing the history of the football as follows: he and a friend went to the Orange County Airport, knowing that Kennedy was due to arrive; a few hundred other spectators and the press were there, and when Kennedy and his party arrived they greeted the audience from a makeshift stage on a flatbed truck. The two friends had brought the football along with them, and one was casually tossing it up and down as Kennedy spoke to the crowd. He caught a glimpse of the football and smiled, and the owner then made a throwing motion, to which Kennedy nodded—so he threw a perfect pass up to Kennedy, much to the delight of the crowd. Kennedy then held the football as he continued to speak, before going into a quarterback’s stance and tossing it back to the owner. Kennedy was victorious in the California primary two days later, and was assassinated after addressing his supporters later that night. RR Auction COA.
