John F. Kennedy
[Washington, D.C.], December 2, 1963
10 Days After His Assassination JFK Signed W. H. letter, Fantastic! Among JFK's Last Acts in White House Post Dated Before Dallas Trip
TLS

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Typed Letter Signed, to Congressman Harold T. Johnson, December 2, 1963, Washington, D.C. 1 p., 6.75" x 8.875." On "The White House" stationery. Dark signature; light toning; very good.

This eerie and extremely rare post-dated letter from President John F. Kennedy extends birthday greetings to Democratic Congressman Harold T. Johnson of California. It would have marked Johnson's fifty-sixth birthday, and while it was undoubtedly a "memorable occasion" because of the President's assassination in Dallas ten days earlier, it was far from "happy." Johnson continued to serve in Congress for seventeen more years.

President John F. Kennedy sent birthday greetings to Democrat members of Congress throughout 1963. This letter is unusual in that it was postdated for an early December 1963 birthday and signed before the President's trip to Dallas. It was never sent.

Complete Transcript

"December 2, 1963

Dear Congressman:

Please accept my warmest congratulations on your birthday. I hope that this will be a happy and memorable occasion and that the years to come will bring you continued health and happiness.

Sincerely,
John Kennedy."

Harold T. "Bizz" Johnson (1907-1988) was born in California and attended the University of Nevada. He obtained his nickname as a child, when his uncle saw him leading other children like the German statesman Bismarck. Johnson worked for the Pacific Fruit Express Company and served as a district chairman for the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. After serving as mayor of Roseville, he won election as a Democrat to the California State Senate, where he served from 1949 to 1959. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1958, Johnson represented the 2nd District from 1959 to 1975 and the 1st District from 1975 to 1981.

From the files of Claude J. Desautels (1921-1982), Executive Assistant to White House Director of Legislative Affairs Lawrence F. O'Brien, who served in that role from 1961 to 1965. O'Brien was later Postmaster General (1965-1968), Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1968-1969, 1970-1972), and Commissioner of the National Basketball Association (1975-1984), and Desautels continued to serve as O'Brien's assistant in these positions until 1969.

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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6.75" x 8.875"