Americana Exceptional Auction
Lot 79:
Description
8×10 photo of the Army officers in the Kennedy WHMO (White House Military office). Affixed to cream-colored board, matted and framed to 14-3/4″ x 15-3/4″. On the board is written in calligraphy, “To: Major John D. Horner.” John F. Kennedy has signed below this greeting in black pen, and Jacqueline has signed it lower right in blue ballpoint, “With Best Wishes.” Provenance: Horner was an Army major attached to the WHMO during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. While it is well-known that JFK made extensive use of the autopen, this signature matches no known examples of his autopen signature. Beyond this, the alternating pressure in the strokes — clearly visible under magnification — leads us to believe this was a live signature. (And, too, it seems odd to imagine that JFK would have used autopen to sign a photo to a member of his own White House staff.) This item can be shipped in-house. Multiple lot combined shipping may require 3rd Party shipping.
Share this lot:
