Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
In the spring of 1950 Seaman 3rd Class John Artesani, a sailor aboard the USS Shenandoah, wanted shore duty. Artesani had served aboard a variety of warships since he joined up in 1942 and when the Shenandoah put in at Norfolk the sailor penned a letter requesting help from someone who could grease the wheels a little. Since Artesani was from Boston, he called on John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the first-term representative from Boston. Since the congressman was a decorated Navy vet, it was only natural that the sailor would request his assistance for a new assignment. The three paragraph letter is typed on JFK's Congressional letterhead and is dated March 16, 1950. The future president has signed the letter in bold black pen that even 65 year later jumps off the page. The 7 3/4" x 10 1/2" page is in good condition with the expected mailing folds and a dark tone in the left margin, none of which effects Kennedy's bold signature. A beautiful example of JFK's signature from the very beginning of his political career. Letter of Authentication from PSA/DNA.