John F. Kennedy Typed Presidential Campaign Letter, October 1960

Presented is a typed letter from John F. Kennedy on official stationary from his presidential campaign. The letter is addressed to Mrs. Pearl Zeltzer, a campaign volunteer residing in Oak Park, Michigan. In the letter, written eight days before the election, Kennedy thanks her for her support and volunteer efforts during the Telephone Campaign. He writes, in part,  “I consider it one of the most important activities we can engage in between now and November 8, and feel confident that a large vote will mean victory on election day.” The letter is dated October 31, 1960 and is secretary-signed “John Kennedy”in black ink at the bottom right. 

Kennedy's presidential campaign began on January 2, 1960. His main opponents included Hubert Humphrey, Adlai Stevenson, and Lyndon B. Johnson, who would later become his Vice President. In the late afternoon of July 15, the young Senator of Massachusetts accepted the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States. Standing before an audience of 52,000 people—with an additional 35 million tuned in via television—Kennedy delivered his acceptance speech, which later became known as "The New Frontier." In his remarks, Senator Kennedy famously stated, "We stand today on the edge of a New Frontier--the frontier of the 1960's--a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils-- a frontier of unfulfilled hopes and threats ... [T]he New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises-- it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them.”

Once he had won the nomination of his party, Kennedy undertook the task of convincing American voters that he would make a better president than his Republican opponent Richard Nixon. Throughout the campaign, it was apparent that the election would be close. A Gallup poll in late August 1960 put Nixon and Kennedy tied at 47 percent each, with 6 percent undecided. To combat this, Kennedy challenged Nixon to a series of televised debates. Broadcast live on national television in late September and early October, the four debates provided the Kennedy campaign with a huge boost. But other efforts were also essential, like extensive campaign visits to key electoral states, fundraising events, and telephone campaigns like the one Mrs. Zeltzser took part on October 31st.

On November 8, 1960, Kennedy and Johnson defeated incumbent Vice President Nixon and Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. in the general election. Kennedy was sworn in as president on January 20, 1961 and served until his assassination on November 22, 1963. 

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Typed letter to Mrs. Pearl Zeltzer on official Campaign letterhead.  Letter dated October 31, 1960. Signed by Secretary “ John Kennedy” in black ink at bottom.  1 page. Signature is bold and legible. Paper is healthy, save three small circular stains along the right paper margin. Light folds, as issued. Letter Dimensions: 10” H x 8” W. 

Letter is framed in a custom-built frame with acid-free mats and UV glass. Framed Dimensions: 15 1/4" H x 12 1/4" W x 1" D.