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Lot #41
Senator John F. Kennedy On His 'Serious Illness'

Senator Kennedy plans to make up for lost time, “because of my serious illness”

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Estimate: $1000+
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Description

Senator Kennedy plans to make up for lost time, “because of my serious illness”

TLS signed “John Kennedy,” one page, 8 x 10.5, United States Senate letterhead, January 17, 1956. Letter to E. A. Hammesfahr, director of the Conference Division of the National Industrial Conference Board, in full: “Many thanks for your recent letter inviting me to speak at your Board Members’ Meeting on Thursday evening, February 16. I certainly appreciate your writing me and under normal circumstances I should gladly accept your kind invitation. As you know, I spent considerable time away from my legislative work here in Washington last year, and unavoidably so because of my serious illness. Therefore, I feel I should spend as much time as possible here this year. And so, except for the commitments which were made several months ago I am accepting no more speaking engagements during this legislative session, at least for some time. It was nice of you to invite me, and if your program schedule should work out so as to give me another chance this fall when Congress is not in session, I will do my best to come.” In fine condition.

Kennedy underwent several life-threatening spinal operations in the 1950s and, in 1955, he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, an insufficient output of thyroid hormones. During his convalescence period in 1954 and 1955, JFK wrote the book Profiles in Courage, which described eight instances in which US Senators risked their careers by standing up for their personal beliefs. It became a bestseller upon its release in 1956 and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1957.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring Royalty
  • Dates: #659 - Ended March 08, 2023





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