JFK TLS on Nuclear Tests: "Tell the Russian People the Facts"

A typed letter signed by President John F. Kennedy discussing nuclear testing conducted by the Soviet Union. 1p, measuring 6.75" x 8.75", Washington, D.C., dated November 8, 1961. Signed "John Kennedy" and addressed to Norman Cousins, Editor of The Saturday Review. With a flattened mail fold. There is a spot of staining just above Kennedy's bold signature. Light soiling to the corners and edges. Very good overall. A similar, yet less content-rich letter addressed to Cousins was previously sold in a 2017 Heritage Auctions sale for over $8,000.

Kennedy relates to Cousins the numerous attempts made by the United States to communicate directly to the Russian people in regard to nuclear testing. Reading in full: "Thank you for your letter of October 18th. As you already know from Ed Murrow's letter to you, USIA is trying to tell the Russian people the facts about their atmospheric testing, and the world's reaction to it. You may be interested in the enclosed announcement of a special project of the Voice of America -- amassing of transmitters for special broadcasts to the Soviet Union about the tests." 

Two months prior to this letter being written, the U.S.S.R. resumed nuclear testing following a two-year moratorium between them and the United States. Kennedy greatly opposed such testing, but was stonewalled in finding a diplomatic solution (such as what's proposed in this letter). Norman Cousins (1915-1990) had worked closely with Kennedy to arrange private missions to Rome and Moscow, relating to the peace talks undertaken between the Pope and Khrushchev and negotiations on the Nuclear Test Ban treaty. Cousins effectively became an unofficial ambassador, as Kennedy believed that Cousins could effectively relay his message to Khrushchev for peaceful resolutions.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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