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Vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 photo of Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy leaning down to hear James H. Darcey, the general manager of The Waterbury Republican-American newspaper, signed and inscribed in fountain pen as president-elect, “For James Darcey – who told me how to do it, with best regards, John F Kennedy.” The reverse bears a credit stamp for photographer Don A. Coviello, who ostensibly took this photo during Kennedy's visit to Waterbury, Connecticut, on November 6, 1960. Kennedy so valued the support of the heavily Democratic and Catholic Waterbury that he visited the Brass City just two days before he won the general election. In fine condition, with light edge rippling. Accompanied by a handwritten description providing some background information about the piece.
Kennedy arrived at the Roger Smith Hotel in downtown Waterbury on November 6th around 3 am. Prominent Connecticut politicians like Governor Abe Ribicoff joined a rain-soaked crowd of around 40,000 well-wishers and the Mattatuck Drum Band to await Kennedy's arrival. Shocked at the scope of such an enthusiastic nocturnal rally, Kennedy delivered an impromptu and rousing speech from the hotel's second-floor balcony, in which he praised Connecticut for its early support of his political career, and mocked ‘Dick Nixon [for having] been in bed for 4 hours [already].’ Kennedy carried the state of Connecticut two days later, the first time in 20 years. Kennedy returned to Waterbury in mid-October 1962, when it is believed that he signed and dedicated this photograph to Darcey. Kennedy promised to visit the industrial capital of the Connecticut River Valley again in 1964, but he was assassinated before he could return.
James H. Darcey served as the longtime general manager, president, and treasurer of The Waterbury Republican-American. The newspaper was the result of a merger between a Waterbury weekly called The Waterbury American and a Waterbury daily called The Waterbury Republican; still published today, it is now known as the Republican-American. In addition to being a newspaper executive, Darcey was also a banker and philanthropist. As a Democrat and Catholic, Darcey championed numerous civic, community, and religious causes, such as the construction of St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, and the development of Connecticut State Route 8, which is also known as the James H. Darcey Memorial Highway.
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