Lot 193

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Description:

J.F.K's. Personal Assistant, David Powers Writes  "I find it too painful to discuss the tragic day"

Single page autograph letter signed on letterhead of "John F. Kennedy Library Foundation", 6.5" x 9.5". Undated. Signed by "Dave Powers", close friend and Ex. Special Assistant to President Kennedy. Fine condition.

David Francis Powers (April 25, 1912 – March 28, 1998) was Special Assistant and Assistant Appointments Secretary to President John F. Kennedy. Powers first met Kennedy in 1946, when JFK was a Democratic candidate for the Massachusetts Eleventh Congressional District. Kennedy had heard that Powers had an understanding of the people and issues in the district that would be vital to helping him win the race. Although Powers was initially skeptical at how "a millionaire's son from Harvard" could appeal to the working-class voters in the district, he joined Kennedy's campaign after being impressed by a heartfelt speech Kennedy gave to Gold Star mothers who had lost sons in World War II.

When Kennedy was elected President of the United States in 1960, he appointed Powers as Special Assistant to the President. In this role Powers "watched over the President's needs", and was always with him on trips around the country and abroad. He usually was the first to see the President in the morning, and the last to see him at night. He was less a political adviser than simply a friend with whom Kennedy could relax. The letter offered here was in response to another's:

"Dear Roy,
Please pardon my delay in writing. I have retired as Curator of the J.F.K. Library but I am still a member of the Board of the J.F.K. Library Foundation.

Roy, I find it too painful to discuss the tragic day in Dallas. I hope you understand..."

Powers had been in the motorcade on the day of the assassination, riding in the Secret Service follow-up car directly behind the presidential limousine.

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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January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
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