John F. Kennedy SP to Influential CT Catholic Dem. Newspaper Exec.

A vintage press photograph showing Democratic presidential candidate (and future 35th U.S. President) John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) conversing with well-wisher James H. Darcey, inscribed and signed by Kennedy as: "For James Darcey - / who told / me how / to do it - / with best / regards / John F Kennedy" in black pen in the upper left corner. N.d. but ca. early 1960s. N.p. Stamped by a local Waterbury, CT press photographer as "Don A. Coviello / Photographer / Waterbury Republican & American / Tel. PLaza 4-0141" verso. The black and white semi-matte photograph shows expected wear including gentle wrinkles mostly affecting the top half of the photo. Slight curling, with scattered tape residue and discoloration verso. Else near fine. 8" x 10." Accompanied by a handwritten description providing some background information about the piece.

This photograph depicts Kennedy leaning down to hear James H. Darcey (1895-1964), the dedicatee of this photograph, whose face is partly concealed behind Kennedy's right shoulder. It was probably snapped by photographer Don A. Coviello during Kennedy's visit to Waterbury, CT 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.

Kennedy arrived at the Roger Smith Hotel in downtown Waterbury on November 6 around 3 am. Prominent Connecticut politicians, such as 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, at which point he may have signed this photograph dedicated to James H. 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 publishing today, it is now known as the "Republican-American." In addition to being a newspaper executive, Darcey was also a banker and philanthropist. 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.

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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