LOT #43273 |
Sold on Nov 13, 2023 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
John F. Kennedy Typed Letter Signed. ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Nov 13, 2023 for:
$3,000.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
John F. Kennedy Typed Letter Signed. One page on White House letterhead, 6" x 7" (sight), Washington; April 19, 1963. Letter addressed to Alva Gladys Nault expressing the Kennedys' condolences for the death of Nault's husband Donald, in the sinking of USS Thresher. Signed, "John Kennedy." Matted and framed to an overall size of 14.5" x 15.5".Kennedy writes, "Mrs. Kennedy and I want to express our very deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your husband aboard the USS THRESHER. The loss of THRESHER was a great shock to freedom-loving people around the world. The American people feel deeply this tragic loss. It is a sad fact of history that this price of freedom must be paid again and again, by our best young men in each generation. Your husband has joined the other defenders of this Nation who have given their lives for their country. I want you to know of my personal feeling of loss and to wish for you God's blessing in this time of sorrow."
The sinking of the USS Thresher was a watershed moment for the United States Navy. On April 9, 1963, the Thresher began a routine deep-diving test that had been successfully completed several times before. The next day, as the Thresher circled slowly towards her test depth, communications suddenly ceased from the vessel. By the end of the day, the commander of Submarine Force Atlantic authorized a recovery mission and notified the crewmembers' families of the apparent accident. A total of 129 crew and personnel were killed. Although some research vessels were able to locate debris during the early days of the search, the wreckage of the Thresher was not located until over a year later when the USS Mizar found its shattered remains 8,400 feet below the surface.
The loss of the Thresher was a critical impetus that forced naval leadership to overhaul submarine safety protocol. In response, the Navy debuted a new program known as SUBSAFE in December 1963. Measures focused on mitigating flooding through the tight regulation of all systems exposed to sea pressure. Since SUBSAFE's inception, only one submarine has sunk due to non-combat incidents.
Condition: Flattened creases along folds. Not examined outside of the frame. The frame has minor scuffs to all corners and bottom edge.
Auction Info
2023 November 13 - 14 Americana & Political Signature Auction Signature® Auction #6276 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2023
13th-14th
Monday-Tuesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 6
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 431
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,000 and $3,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $3,000,000 per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms