Impressive collection of items relating to the “Texas Welcome Dinner” of President John F. Kennedy at the Municipal Auditorium in Austin, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Deriving from the personal collection of Dave Smith, a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee which organized the event, the collection is highlighted by several rare and one-of-a-kind items, including: an original ‘Texas Welcome Dinner’ press kit folder; a ‘Texas Welcome Dinner’ application form indicating that “One ticket will be issued for each $100.00 contribution to the State Democratic Executive Committee,” with accompanying mailing envelope; a rare “Reserved Parking” window sign for the “Texas Welcome Dinner,” issued as No. 189; an original printed invitation for the Texas Welcome Dinner, with original mailing envelope postmarked November 6, 1963; a preprinted letter from Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie, with original mailing envelope postmarked December 31, 1963; and a typed letter from the State Democratic Executive Committee forwarding a pair of tickets to the “Kennedy-Johnson Texas Welcome Dinner,” identifying the tickets as Nos. D14568 and D14569.
The collection also includes: a list of “Accredited Press” for President Kennedy’s welcome dinner; a list of the “Washington Press Corps” covering the Kennedy trip and dinner event; two copies of “Press Credential” lists; an itinerary packet for President Kennedy covering the events of November 21 and 22, 1963; a timetable of “President Kennedy’s visit on Friday to Austin,” starting at 3:15 p.m. and ending at 9:55 p.m.; a sheet detailing the order of the motorcade when the “Presidential party leaves Bergstrom Air Force Base Friday afternoon for Dallas”; an information sheet for the “Texas Delegation in Congress, State Officials, Members of the Texas Legislature, and Members of the State Democratic Executive Committee”; and a working program for the Texas Welcome Dinner. Also featured with the lot are 13 press releases, a press sheet memorandum, three sheets regarding the attainment of press credentials, an invitation sheet for reporters to visit a ‘Hospitality Room,’ and various handwritten notes relating to press and the president’s movements. In overall fine condition.
