A Very Rare Signed Copy of One of America’s Great Speeches: John Kennedy’s First Inaugural Address
The most consequential ever made, it inspired the nation, and indeed the world, pointing to a new, idealistic future .
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
On January 20, 1961, John Kennedy ushered in a new era in the United States (and indeed the world) with his historic, visionary, and inspirational Inaugural Address. Spellbinding to hear, it seemed to...
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
On January 20, 1961, John Kennedy ushered in a new era in the United States (and indeed the world) with his historic, visionary, and inspirational Inaugural Address. Spellbinding to hear, it seemed to leave behind existing attitudes and limitations, while acting as a clarion call to young and old alike to realize their personal potential while helping build a better nation and world. The speech immediately infused energy and excitement, Washington was almost bristling with it, which led to such programs as the Peace Corps, and such major Kennedy policies and achievements as the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The Sixties, which followed from that moment would hardly have been possible without it. Kennedy's Inaugural Address is widely considered the greatest ever, but in any event it was, clearly, the most effective ever made.
In it, the new President said that the inaugural was “not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom", and called for idealistic sacrifice, saying Americans should "ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country". He also included "my fellow citizens of the world.” Just 10 days later, he delivered a State of the Union Address, his first and one of only three he would ever give. In it, he sketched out his vision for the Presidency. “We cannot escape our dangers–neither must we let them drive us into panic or narrow isolation.”
After these two early 1961 speeches, Harper and Brothers published a limited edition printing of the speeches, 106 copies total, designed by Stefan Salter and set in Bulmer and Caledonia type. Kennedy signed these that were created, and they were treasured gifts handed out to supporters and friends.
Among the great quotes it contains:
– "We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom–symbolizing an end as well as a beginning–signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.”
– "The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.”
– "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
– "To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom-and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.”
– “Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.”
– “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility–I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it–and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”
– “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
John "Jack" McNally was Kennedy's Staff Assistant for Congressional Liaisons, and was also responsible for the administrative and fiscal affairs of the White House. Back then, senior White House staff wore many hats, and McNally was additionally in charge of the scheduling and planning of all Presidential travel. He would also oversee the arrangements for President Kennedy’s funeral in 1963. He was close friends with Steve and Carolyn Gatti, and saw to it that they received one of the coveted copies.
This is one of those 106 limited edition books, copyright 1961, signed, likely early in that year, and inscribed to Steve and Carolyn Gatti, being one of, if not the first, bound printing of this speech. It is entitled, “President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address of January 20, 1961 and His First State of the Union Message.” We obtained this book directly from the Gatti descendants.
A search of public sale records going back 40 years turns up only a small handful of these books that have managed to reach the market, making this a great rarity.
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