Rare original ‘telegram’ flyer produced for the 1960 presidential campaign of Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy, 10.25 x 12, examples of which were posted in and around African American communities to inform the public of Kennedy’s role in the release of Martin Luther King, Jr. from the Georgia State Prison on October 27, 1960. Nixon’s stasis and Kennedy’s support, which included personally calling King’s wife, Coretta Scott, helped secure large segments of the African American vote and eventually swing the 1960 presidential election in Kennedy’s favor.
Designed to appear as a Western Union Telegram dated November 1, 1960, at 2:04 am, the flyer contains a message from Louis E. Martin, the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and reads, in part: “Immediately after leaving the Georgia Court House when Dr. Martin Luther King was released, the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, president of the Montgomery Improvement Association…said he had been on the fence in the election, but was now ready to fight for Kennedy. Later he issued the following statement:
‘I earnestly and sincerely feel that it is time for all of us to take off our Nixon buttons…I have made up my mind to vote for Senator Kennedy, not because of his party affiliation, the color of his skin or the texture of his hair or merely because of the way he looks, but because I am convinced he is concerned about our struggle. Senator Kennedy did something great and wonderful when he personally called Mrs. Coretta King and helped free Dr. Martin Luther King. This was the kind act I was waiting for…Senator Kennedy showed his great concern for humanity when he acted first without counting the cost. He risked his political welfare in the south. We must offset whatever loss he may sustain. He has my wholehearted support because not only has he a great mind — but now I am convinced that he also has a great heart. This is the kind of man we need at this hour.” In fine condition, with a block of faint toning.
The consignor notes that The John F. Kennedy Library borrowed and exhibited this historic document during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.
