Tandem of items signed by John F. Kennedy as a Massachusetts senator — a TLS signed “Jack” and a rare personal check signed “John Kennedy” — both sent to Rhode Island Senator John Pastore during Kennedy’s unsuccessful bid for the Vice Presidential nomination at the 1956 Democratic National Convention. The TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, June 20, 1956, personal United States Senate letterhead, in full: “I am enclosing my check for $27.94 to cover cost of your transportation from New Bedford to Washington on the 30th of May. Again, thank you for going up there and with kind regards.” Kennedy has added a handwritten postscript below: “This is the committee’s desire.” Beneath this inscription, Pastore has written a note back to Kennedy, “It was an honor and pleasure to come to New Bedford. This is unnecessary although your thoughtfulness in doing it is appreciated, John.” The accompanying personal check (The National City Bank of New York), 6.25 x 2.75, filled out in another hand and signed by Kennedy, made payable to Pastore for $27.94, dated June 19, 1956. made out to John O. Pastore. Boldly signed "John Kennedy." In overall fine condition. Both items are individually encapsulated in Beckett authentication holders.
In 1956, John F. Kennedy had been a Senator for three years and was attempting to make a bid for the Vice Presidential nomination. The DNC was to be held in August and Kennedy set about laying the groundwork for his campaign early. One of his earliest supporters was John Pastore, a United States Senator from Rhode Island (1950-1976). On a visit to New Bedford, Massachusetts, for an event honoring him and his wife, Kennedy invited Pastore and others to join him. The event, held on May 30, 1956, saw voters from Fall River and New Bedford brace the cold New England weather to celebrate John and Jackie at a nonpolitical, bipartisan social event. Also in attendance was Albert A. Gore, Sr. of Tennessee, who in a speech remarked that Kennedy would make an excellent presidential or vice-presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.
When the DNC finally rolled around three months later, Senator Kennedy was greatly disappointed when, instead of selecting him as his vice-presidential running mate, Adlai Stevenson left the nomination in the hands of the Democratic National Convention; Kennedy came in second, losing to Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver. Four years later, Kennedy again found himself at odds with Stevenson, who informally challenged his nomination for the presidency in hopes of running again himself. With his national profile at an all-time high, Kennedy emerged as the strongest candidate and comfortably earned his party’s presidential nomination. Signed prior to his first major political setback, this tremendous pairing of Kennedy keepsakes is representative of his resolve shown as both a soldier and a statesman; moreover, checks signed by Kennedy are of considerable scarcity — as president or otherwise — with this being only the fourth example that we have ever offered.
