LOT #43096 |
Starting Bid: $3,500
[John F. Kennedy]: Gold Youth Service Award, Signed Photo & More. ... (Total: 13 Items)
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Description
JFK's Legacy: Youth and Volunteerism
[John F. Kennedy]: Gold Youth Service Award, Signed Photo &
More. A "Young American Medal for Service", 14K gold, 1 1/8" in
diameter, in black leather box, 3" x 5 1/4" with blue velvet and
satin lining. This award was presented to Mary Ann Kingry, the
first girl to receive the award, in recognition of her outstanding
record of volunteer service in 1962. She was selected from among
fifty state nominees by the Justice Department Committee,
represented at the ceremony by Director J. Edgar Hoover and
Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. It is engraved on verso "Mary
Ann Kingry 1960".As the youngest elected President in U.S. history (and a father of two young children in the White House), John F. Kennedy embodied the nation's sense of youthful vitality on the world stage. "Youth & Vigor" became a slogan closely associated with JFK. America was enthralled with the family games of touch-football played out on the beaches of Hyannisport. Although he privately battled significant health challenges, JFK placed a strong public emphasis on physical fitness, framing it as essential not only to individual well-being, but also to the country's capacity to meet its obligations at home and abroad. His administration launched a number of fitness initiatives, while also encouraging civic engagement among young Americans; in 1961, he founded the Peace Corps, inspiring a generation to serve communities around the globe. As another such initiative, the Young American Awards, honored exceptional contributions made by youth within their own communities. In her "Personal Recollections" included with this lot, Kingry recalls the young President's strength of personality at her award ceremony: "I have no delusions about the Late President. Like all of us, he had his faults. But he was an extraordinary, charismatic Leader, who called upon all Americans to reach, to care, to serve their Country and to try and make a positive difference in the World."
Included in this lot are several pieces of memorabilia that Kingry received at her award ceremony. The Kingry family was invited to the Oval Office with Kennedy, where he presented Mary Ann's father with a souvenir ballpoint pen [included], engraved with his signature in facsimile. There is a 10" x 8" signed color photo depicting John F. Kennedy presenting the Young American Medal for Service to Kingry, with J. Edgar Hoover and Robert F. Kennedy at the left and right, respectively. It is signed at the top right, "For Mary Ann Kingry - with esteem and warmest personal regards - John Kennedy." There is a 8" x 10" black-and-white photo of Bobby Kennedy, signed twice at the bottom, "To Mary Ann / Congratulations and best Wishes / Robert Kennedy / I hope you will come back and see us again. / R F Kennedy." Vice-President Johnson had recently predicted during a speech at Vassar that the U. S. might have a female President before long. Following Mary Ann's brief acceptance speech, JFK draw laughter when he asked Bobby: "Do you think she'll be ready in '68?" The award ceremony was covered on the "Evening News with Walter Cronkite" and a spread in "Life" magazine.
There is a typed letter signed from Evelyn Lincoln, Kennedy's personal secretary. It reads, in part: "The President asked me to tell you how much he appreciated your kind letter and your very generous comments. He is extremely grateful to you for your thoughtfulness in writing to him and he was delighted to autograph the enclosed picture which was taken at the time he pinned the award on you..." One page on White House letterhead, measuring 6 1/4" x 9 1/4", dated July 6, 1962.
There are an three additional 10" x 8" and two 8" x 10" photographs (unsigned) of Kingry receiving the medal from JFK; a copy of John F. Kennedy and the Young People of America by Bill Adler, which contains two references to Kingry's award; as well as Kingry's typed, two-page "Personal Recollections" of her 1962 visit to the White House.
This unique collection of items from JFK's brief presidency highlights his enduring commitment to America's future, exemplifying his belief that the nation's strength depended on the contributions of every citizen.
Condition: Condition is generally fine. A few light scuffs to the medal's leather box. Light, even toning and very minor edgewear to the signed photographs. Some wear to the dust jacket of the book, which has been affixed to the binding with clear tape; light toning to textblock. Comes with a PSA Certificate of Authenticity [COA] for the JFK signed photo.
Auction Info
2025 October 24 - 25 Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6324 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
October
24th
Friday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
October
24th-25th
Friday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
14 Days
17h 59m 48s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
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This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 43001-43191) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, October 24, 2025.
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