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Archive of presidential correspondence and personal memorabilia documenting the close friendships between longtime Chicago Sun-Times Washington correspondent Carleton V. ‘Bill’ Kent Jr. (1909–1985), his family, and several American presidents from World War II through the mid-1960s. Spanning more than two decades, the collection follows Kent from his wartime service and early friendship with Dwight D. Eisenhower through his years covering the White House, preserving an exceptional group of 12 signed letters and artifacts from Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, Robert F. Kennedy, and Mamie Eisenhower, together with original White House photographs and related personal material.
The highlight of the collection is a TLS from John F. Kennedy as president, signed "John Kennedy," on White House letterhead, March 25, 1961: "Thanks very much for the good letter which you sent me after the Gridiron Club dinner…" Kennedy adds a lengthy handwritten postscript extending onto the reverse: "I am naturally grateful that the Gridiron Club did not present me in a Harvard sweater this year. I am wondering if it might not be a good idea for you to move your seat. I always turn to recognize you—and catch Mae Craig's eye."
The five Eisenhower letters trace the evolution of a friendship spanning nearly two decades, from a warm 1942 wartime note joking that Kent should become his "press agent," to a 1954 White House letter exchanging family news and greetings, followed by two heartfelt 1958 presidential condolence letters recalling lifelong friendships and expressing sympathy after the death of Maud Hurd. The final letter, dated October 13, 1959, reflects the easy camaraderie between the president and Kent as Eisenhower forwards a gift of personalized golf balls, writing, in full: "With this note I am sending you six personalized golf balls, in a not too subtle attempt to win you over (if indeed seven days in the golfing community of Palm Springs did not completely do so) to the fascination of the game. Actually the balls are a gift from Mr. Edwin L. Parker. I am thanking him for all of us, but if you also should want to express personal appreciation to him, his address is A. G. Spalding and Bros., Inc., Chicopee, Massachusetts."
Additional presidential material includes a White House menu for the Twenty-Seventh Annual Dinner, held March 4, 1950, signed on the cover by Harry S. Truman; a handwritten Truman note as president, "Thank her please. Hope I qualify, HST," penned at the foot of Kent's letter to the president; two signed Robert F. Kennedy letters from 1964 thanking the Kents for their contribution to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Fund and inviting them to a memorial Mass for President Kennedy at St. Matthew's Cathedral; and a warm 1952 signed letter from Mamie Doud Eisenhower recalling that Kent had been "my dinner partner at a party that the press gave for Ike and me," adding that "He is a most attractive young man and full of fun."
The archive also includes five original vintage photographs documenting Kent's career and presidential associations, including a circa 1940s-1950s image of Kent boarding an aircraft, a September 8, 1964, White House photograph by Cecil W. Stoughton, a photograph of Kent with President Lyndon B. Johnson, a boat photograph with Johnson, and an informal political/press meeting photograph.
Accompanied by Kent's wartime military documents, including his 1943 USAFIME (United States Army Forces in the Middle East) civilian identification card and visa booklet issued while serving with the United States Army Forces in the Middle East, his 1943 Shellback certificate commemorating his crossing of the Equator aboard the U.S.S. Hermitage, his 1944 Fifth Army Association membership card, and his 1965 U.S. Government press credential; Maud Rogers Hurd's October 1953 statement recalling President Eisenhower's visit to Abilene; a photocopy of Lyndon B. Johnson's January 8, 1964, letter praising Bill Kent and Emmett Dedmon; an autopen letter from Jacqueline Kennedy acknowledging the Kents' contribution to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Fund; a printed-signature portrait photograph of President John F. Kennedy; and Kent's Chicago Sun-Times obituary, published January 25, 1985. In overall fine condition, with staining to the Truman menu.
