Important archive with John F. Kennedy's original working manuscript introduction for his Harvard University senior thesis, the Harvard Class Album 1940 yearbook, and a 1945 typed letter signed by Kennedy to his Harvard Class of 1940. Includes:
Kennedy's remarkable hand-corrected typed manuscript with a lengthy handwritten passage at the conclusion, ten pages, 7.75 x 11, no date. John F. Kennedy's 1940 Harvard thesis, entitled 'Appeasement at Munich: The Inevitable Result of the slowness of conversion of the British Democracy to a Rearmament Policy,' formed the basis for his first book, Why England Slept, published with the encouragement of his father. The book examines the years leading up to World War II and the measures taken—or not taken—by England to extinguish the German threat before it developed into world war. Unlike most, he did not criticize Great Britain's policy of appeasement toward Germany; the first example of German aggression came in March 1936 with their "march at the Rhineland," an act that violated the Treaty of Versailles. Kennedy also alludes to the Abyssinia Crisis and Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935-36, and the Munich Agreement in 1938 by which England permitted the German annexation of the Sudetenland. This is a major JFK artifact of historical significance, which became the foundation for his early bestseller.
The long handwritten portion, penned on both sides of the final page, in part (spelling and grammar retained): “Democ can’t change its ideas overnight unless severely shocked—not shocked as Germany did not do anything that England did not regard as something that while unfortunate in name was allright in principle. The persecution of the Jews aroused more animosity than the march at the Rhineland…Frequent articles showing Ger[many] could not win any war etc & victory in World War gave feeling of confidence. Took time to change—Abyssinia same—not ready till Munich. Up to 1936—good but have & reassured. Now they were converted but only to the need for it. Not willing to make sacrifices until 1938. This 1/2 attitude spelt disaster as…would take 3 years. What’s the solution—acknowledge I dictator in changing P.O. & also in putting his energies and effort to work. How can you have democ complete. Looks as though you cant. They have not had our natural resources made them willing to accept it. Maybe in the future we will have England too rich & well off to accept the hardships in 1936.”
Unsigned hardcover issue of the Harvard Class Album for 1940, 11 x 13.75, 260 pages. Kennedy's senior photo appears on page 204 and is captioned by personal information that includes his address, campus residence, and such activities as the Smoker Committee, Catholic Club, football, swimming, the "Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770," and more. He is also depicted as a member of the Crimson staff, as an officer of the permanent class committee, and as a member of the yacht club. The cover bears the gilt-stamped name of JFK's classmate Robert Blomen Wood.
Form letter signed "Jack," in black ink, one page, 8.5 x 11, Harvard Class of 1940 letterhead, December 27, 1945. Fundraising letter signed by war hero "Jack," showing off his wit and humor. In part: "As the Class Secretary, Pete Pratt, is entangled with the U.S. Army, he has asked me to write you about the Class Report. The Class Report is ordinarily published at the time of our First Reunion, in our case, 1943. Due to circumstances beyond any of our controls, we have been unable to hold any semblance of a reunion. Now, however, our time has come and in June of this year we shall meet in Cambridge. You will be informed of that later…There is, as usual, the question of money. Our Class Fund has to its credit about $1300, invested in war bonds which our canny Treasurer, Donald MacDonald Dickinson Thurber, thinks is the best buy since Ponzi. McThurber, who we understand votes Republican in the Michigan elections, feels we should hold them until maturity. There are those who say that the money should be used to buy real estate in Nevada suitable for building a large underground cellar capable of holding 972 men of Harvard. That will be voted on in June."
In overall fine condition.
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