JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY (1917-1963) AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT of a speech [1953] PHOTOGRAPHS OF J.F.KENNEDY IN BERLIN IN JUNE 1963

AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT of a speech [first semester 1953] 10 pages in-fol. with deletions and corrections; a few diagrams, on ruled yellow paper (pencil). In English. PHOTOGRAPHS OF J.F.KENNEDY IN BERLIN IN JUNE 1963 13 photographs Gelatin silver print, Berlin, 26 June 1963. Various sizes. image: 11.9 x 14.5 cm / 12.2 x 17.4 cm sheet: 12.5 x 15.2 cm / 12.7 x 17.9 cm On verso typed annotations in German, press agency’s stamp on verso “Landesbildstelle / Berlin”. First draft of a speech on the future of the Democratic Party, following their electoral setback in November 1952. [Eisenhower was elected in November 1952, the first Republican President since twenty years, enjoying a majority in the House of Representatives.] This moving rough draft offers Kennedy’s vision of the Democratic Party as well as insight into his speech writing. “The Democratic Party, after decades of control over the affairs if this country, received a massive set back in 1952. I believe firstly that the Democratic Party must be a progressive party. It has no future as a conservative party or States rights party. The Republicans have a monopoly on that course of action that they will not lose…I am a Democrat, both by tradition and belief. I believe in its past and future and I believe it has much to contribute to the present…”