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Auction: 6010 - Important Stamps & Covers of the World - Washington Philatelic Exhibition Auction
Lot: 244

United States of America 1964 Kennedy Memorial Issue, a unique assembly of original artwork and essays produced by Raymond Loewy (the designer of the issued stamp) and a collection of letters relating to Loewy and the Kennedy family, mounted in a beautiful pale blue leather bound volume. Comprising:Artwork and Essays: Examples of unadopted photographic essays mounted on thick card (215 x 215 mm.) lettered A to P - the type B essay very similar to that issued but with value shown at right, the card showing ink notation stating "According to phone call from Le Moyne Billings, this design was chosen by Mrs. Kennedy", also similar cards numbered 2 to 6 showing examples of this near issued design, most of the different designs represented by three, four or six examples in a variety of colour schemes (both monocoloured and bicoloured). Each card is definitively authenticated by the application of Loewy´s thumbprint! Nine larger pieces of card (215 x 275 mm.) lettered A to I affixed with examples of printed unadopted designs, three examples of each in a variety of colour schemes (monocoloured or bicoloured), some with composite overlays or handpainted detail, much official ink annotation with comments on the designs, references to Kennedys portrait such as "all too sad" and "Face too sad, lacks life", etc. The letters including: 1964 (16 June) signed by Jacqueline Kennedy, addressed to "Dear Mr. Loewy, It is with greatest pleasure that I return to you the two first day covers, which I have signed for Mrs. Loewy and your daughter. I know the President would be so proud of this commemorative stamp, and I shall never forget your wish to perpetuate his memory in this way. I can assure you it has touched me beyond words." (the two covers are mounted alongside, together with the original covering envelope); 1964 (9 June) from Edward Guthman at the Department of Justice and 1964 (11 June) from the Senate, to Loewy, both returning two similar first day covers signed by Robert Kennedy and Edward Kennedy, also 1967 (10 Feb.) from Rose Kennedy with one cover bearing her signature; 1964 (22 May) and 1964 (23 June) from the Postmaster General´s office, the first confirming that a fee of $500 is paid for the accepted design "We realize the small remuneration... is but a token payment for the time and effort expended in the prepartion of the design and you are to be commended for the unselfish public service you have rendered as a memorial to our late beloved President."; 1964 (18 June - 22 Sept.), six letters from Government Departments in Paris, including the office of President De Gaulle, others from the offices of the Prime Minister, Cultural Affairs, Minister of Industry, Minister of Youth and Sport, etc., all thanking Loewy for the presents of the new stamps or first day covers; similar letters from the U.S. Ambassador to Paris and the U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy; a number newspaper cuttings, photographs, copy of the press release which gives the full story of the design process and the many people involved. Also two complete sheets of the issued stamp and covers signed by Loewy and examples of the first day cover signed by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy signed in the same distinctive black felt-tip type ink.This stunning collection is without doubt the finest record relating to this commemorative issue, together with the words of his immediate family members and those further afield, showing the great respect and admiration in which the President was held and the great sadness at his untimely death Estimate US$ 220,000-260,000

Sold for
$150,000