Lot 199

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Description:

ALS to John Kennedy Re: Ted and Commie-Pinko Ties, McCarthy Era, Blackmail and Joe Kennedy

A fascinating revealing account of a highly sensitive matter. Twelve page autographed letter signed (written on 11 sheets) to Senator John Kennedy which references a report that was so important that the "report (was) finished at 3:00am + pushed through the door of your house". Each page was marked "Personal + Confidential" along the top left corner of each page. Dated "May 11, 1954", and signed by Marvin Langdon "Langdon". The lengthy letter appears to have been written using one than one pen as the color changes at page 4. Light toning and waviness to the pages.  From the collection of Ronald Hoskins, assassinologist.  

Langdon's letter alluded to a then current rumor that reporter Drew Pearson was to report that Ted Kennedy had been associated with communists (he is referred to as having a "Pinko" associations (the slur at the time was Commie-Pinko). Fast forward to recent day (2010) when Ted Kennedys FBI files were released to the public, indeed there was a note to such a rumor. 

In the newly released FBI files there exists the comment "the FBI describes another incident involving the elder Kennedy: Some of the early material in the file suggests that Joseph P. Kennedy was close enough to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover that he had called the Bureau regarding a rumor that reporter Drew Pearson was to report the Ted Kennedy had been associated with communists. Hoover assured him that the FBI had not investigated the senator and had no information to even support such a claim."

However, this seemingly disappeared file was heavily referenced in this 1954 letter offered here between JFK and Marvin Langdon, and what to do about Pearson's report, Ted Kennedy, McCarthy, blackmail and did JFK what him to handle it?.

Some of the interesting quotes from this lengthy 11 page letter are shown below:

" …Jack points out that the FBI reports do not come to a conclusion, but the Army does. The report states that the FBI had received derogatory information about Teddy, concerning his activities & associations at Harvard, and that it was for "Pinko" reasons - and not for some other reason that the Army is evaluating the F.B.I report Teddy not be cleared for top secret matters and could not be permitted to move into the 'sensitive area' that he was about to enter"

"…I pressed this point pretty hard, saying I had known Teddy since 1947 and he was a big smiling open faced, genial guy, and I was convinced the nearest thing to Ted he ever had was his (illegible) jersey on the Harvard freshman football team…"

"… I could not shake him on the Pinko business .."

"…I could not see where this blackmail stuff came in. JFK was not a member of the McCarthy subcommittee and there was no evidence at all that McCarthy, if he did have this report, had used it to influence JFK in any of his Senate actions, or that he was planning to do so. I said I thought we should all be careful we do not try and beat McCarthy by McCarthy method..

"…the impression Drew Pearson has gotten from this source is that a)McCarthy … had gotten this report on Teddy some time ago b) he had let it be known directly or indirectly ……Jack Anderson said McCarthy had told Mr. Kennedy (senior) directly that he had it … that he had such a report c) McCarthy asks JPK for nothing d) it is, however implied in b) and, e) JPK 'bends over backwards to be helpful to McCarthy' and then makes campaign contributions to him…."

"… it was brought to Drew Pearson's attention that McCarthy had this file, that this was the more or less blackmail use that had been made of it, and there was the possibility also that McCarthy planned to make additional use of it re JFK is Senate actions…"

(the above reference may be Langdon's allusion to what he slipped under the door for JFK.. It may have been in response to a blackmail threat as noted above)

"…I could not see where this blackmail stuff came in. JFK was not a member of the McCarthy subcommittee and there was no evidence at all that McCarthy, if he did have this report, had used it to influence JFK in any of his Senate actions, or that he was planning to do so. I said I thought we should all be careful we do not try and beat McCarthy by McCarthy methods…"

"..I could not see where this blackmail stuff came in. JFK was not a member of the McCarthy subcommittee and there was no evidence at all that McCarthy, if he did have this report, had used it to influence JFK in any of his Senate actions, or that he was planning to do so. I said I thought we should all be careful we do not try and beat McCarthy by McCarthy methods…"

"…I continue to reiterate to you - JFK- that I would be very happy to act as an intermediary for you or four your father or Teddy, or keep out the way if that is what you prefer… Again I write this by hand so you have the only copy, and can do with it as you see fit…."

This letter displays all the covert actions in the political arena… whether it be blackmail, whether the report was true or not is not relevant BUT how politicians make things disappear … And the average American has no idea of all the undercurrents. A highly revealing look behind the curtain of illusion.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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