ALS signed “John Kennedy,” one page both sides, 8 x 10.5, United States Senate letterhead, September 2, 1954. Letter to Mrs. James Fitzgerald in Springfield, Massachusetts. In full: “Many many thanks for your very kind letter. I share your regret that the pay raise did not go through—but I am confident that it will be passed by the Congress next session regardless of the veto. Hope to be around sometime soon and see you both.” In very good condition, with heavy horizontal mailing folds, several lighter vertical folds, some scattered stray red ink and soiling, and a small tear to the upper border. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in his own hand. An especially interesting autographic piece as Kennedy incorporates his own seldom-seen middle name, “Fitzgerald,” in the recipient’s name at both the top of the letter and on the envelope. James Fitzgerald was a postal worker and had briefly helped campaign for JFK. At the end of its session in August 1954, Congress passed a bill to grant raises to all federal employees, including a permanent five-percent pay raise for postal workers. Eisenhower withheld his approval—a ‘pocket’ veto—chiefly because it provided no method of raising revenue to finance the cost of the pay hikes, and some saw it as retaliation after Congress had rejected his request for an increase in postal rates. A sought-after handwritten letter that holds historic, autographic, and philatelic interest. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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