Description:

Sepia-toned Photograph Signed, “James K.W. Atherton”, image size 19” X 15.5”, affixed to 16” X 20” heavy board, signed along the left margin of the mounting. Berlin, noon, Wednesday, June 26, 1963, President Kennedy stands on the platform at Checkpoint Charlie and looks at the dilapidated landscape across the Berlin Wall as his entourage stands below, their eyes and cameras fixed on him. Light silvering along the lower edge of the photograph and minor wear along the edges of the heavy board. In fine condition with a dark, clear Atherton signature.

In the June 27, 1963 New York Times, this photograph was printed with the caption, “A VIEW OVER THE WALL: President Kennedy gets his first look into East Berlin across the wall erected by East Germans. Earlier, his plan to look across at the Brandenburg Gate was blocked by cloths hung in the gate’s arches.”

Following Kennedy’s visit to Checkpoint Charlie, he delivered the speech now seen as a turning point in the Cold War, a speech that boosted the morale of the West Germans and gave a strong defiant message to the Soviet Union. “…There are many people in the world who really don’t understand…what is the great issue between the free world and the Communist world. Let them come to Berlin. There are some who say that Communism is the wave of the future. Let them come to Berlin. And there are some who say in Europe and elsewhere ‘we can work with the Communists.’ Let them come to Berlin. And there are even a few who say that it’s true that Communism is an evil system but it permits us to make economic progress. Let them come to Berlin… All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words, “Ich bin ein Berliner.”

Award-winning veteran news photographer, James K.W. Atherton was a staff news photographer in Washington, D.C. for over 40 years. For 20 years, he was a staffer for the wires at United Press International (UPI), covering every U.S. President from Harry Truman to Richard Nixon as well as the major events of the day, such as the McCarthy hearings, the 1963 March on Washington, John Kennedy’s funeral, and the first seven space launches. In 1970 he became a staff photographer and picture editor for The Washington Post. Following his award-winning photo coverage of the Watergate hearings, he continued to cover Capitol Hill through the Iran-Contra hearings. He retired in 1990.


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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

June 10, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000