Unsigned glossy 7 x 5 photo of John F. Kennedy with John O’Rourke at a Knights of Columbus communion breakfast in Northampton, Massachusetts, on March 18, 1951. Stamped on the reverse by photographer Earl R. Herrick of Northampton. Also includes O’Rourke’s personally annotated and hand-corrected typescript of his introduction of Kennedy for the event. In overall fine condition, with general soiling and wrinkling to the typescript. Accompanied by several newspaper clippings about the event, including one noting that Kennedy would speak about his five-week tour of Europe during which he met with several world leaders. Kennedy first met O'Rourke in 1951 after his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., told Department of Labor lawyer Ray O'Connell—the cousin of O'Rourke's wife—that John was going to need help in the district in order to win it in the 1952 Senate election. His appearance at this Knights of Columbus communion breakfast was his first official appearance in Northampton. Excellent material from an important turning point in Kennedy’s political career. From the collection of Massachusetts representative John O'Rourke.
