[KENNEDY JOHN F.]: (1917-1963) American President 1961-63.
LINCOLN EVELYN (1909-1995) American Personal Secretary to John F. Kennedy from 1953-63.

T.L.S. Evelyn Lincoln (in autopen), one page, 8vo, Washington, 22nd November 1963, to Terence J. Dodson, on the printed stationery of The White House. Lincoln thanks her correspondent for his letter and continues, 'In response to your request, the envelopes enclosed were signed for Teoman Sirri. They are returned with the President's best wishes to you both'. Together with a second T.L.S., Evelyn Lincoln, one page, 8vo, Washington, 22nd June 1964, also to Terence J. Dodson, on the printed stationery of The White House. Lincoln states that President [Lyndon B.] Johnson's personal secretary, Mrs. Juanita Roberts, has passed Dodson's letter and enclosure to her, and continues to comment 'Much as I would like to be helpful, I regret that because of the lapse of time it is not possible for me to say whether or not the letter to you dated November 22, 1963, is the last one I wrote on behalf of President Kennedy'. A rare and significant pair of letters. VG to about EX, 2

Autograph material of any description relating to John F. Kennedy and dated on the day of his assassination is of the utmost rarity and desirability.

Kennedy served as the 35th President of the United States from 1961-63 and his term in office oversaw the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, developments in the Space Race, the building of the Berlin Wall and the Civil Rights Movement.

Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on 22nd November 1963, the exact date on which the first of the letters offered here was written. Evelyn Lincoln was in the motorcade at the time of the assassination, explaining why the letter bears her autopen signature. The assassination had an impact on many people, not only in America, but around the world. Many vividly remember where they were when first learning of the news that JFK had been killed.

Kennedy continues to rank highly in historian's polls of United States Presidents and with the general public, and his death, coupled with the ensuing confusion regarding the facts of his assassination, was of political and historical importance for they signified a turning point and decline in the faith of the American people in the political establishment.