KENNEDY JOHN F.: (1917-1963)

KENNEDY JOHN F.: (1917-1963) American President 1961-63. A rare A.L.S., John Kennedy, four pages (two separate leaves), 8vo, Washington DC, 15th February (1951), to Frank F. Previte Jr., on Kennedy's printed stationery from the Congress of the United States, House of Representatives. Kennedy commences his letter stating 'I am very sorry to hear about your recent experience in my office in Boston' and continues 'While we are short-handed due to Joe Rosetti of South Boston who was formerly in the Boston office and while it will be another week before the new man comes in - there is still no excuse for the treatment you received', further adding 'I am sending your letter to Boston to be read by everyone so that there will not be a repetition of this' and explaining 'I will be in Boston this Saturday about 5.00 pm at 122 Bowdoin St., if you can come around I would like to discuss your case with you. If you cannot would you write me directly in Washington and I will see that some action is taken', before concluding 'I hope that you will accept my apology for what happened'. Accompanied by the original envelope bearing a facsimile franking signature. Together with a T.L.S., John F. Kennedy (secretarial signature), one page, 4to, Boston, Massachusetts, 8th February 1951, to Mrs. P. F. Young at the Office of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, USN and Naval Inspector of Ordnance. Kennedy writes a letter of recommendation on behalf of Frank Previte Jr., stating, in part, 'Mr. Previte informs me that he has been interviewed for a position of Storekeeper with your Agency. He is a very good friend of mine, is a capable and conscientious worker, and am sure he could fill this position with satisfaction to the Navy Department. He is out of the job at the present time and any assistance that can be rendered him will be deeply appreciated by me.' Accompanied by the original envelope bearing a facsimile franking signature. Autograph letters of Kennedy are rare (particularly those containing sincere apologies) and sought after, and the present example demonstrates the future President's sharp political disposition in sending a personal message to an upset constituent. VG, 2 The present lot is accompanied by a photocopy of a handwritten statement by an unidentified individual providing some background to Kennedy's apology and stating, in part, 'Frank Previte undoubtedly was a campaign worker for Kennedy….(and)….sought an audience with Kennedy at his Boston office somewhere between Feb 9-14. The request was granted and Previte showed up and was told to wait in the outer office, He did so, and literally spent the entire day waiting for Kennedy who never appeared and possibly, if there, left by the rear entrance. Previte was incensed and he wrote a scathing letter to Kennedy, who responded immediately with the…..hand written letter of apology'.