LOT #47077 |
Sold on Dec 1, 2022 for: Not Sold
John F. Kennedy Autograph Lyrics. ...
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Description
President Kennedy Writes a Verse of "The Wearin' O' the Green" for his Visit to Ireland in 1963
John F. Kennedy Autograph Lyrics. One page, 9.25 x 6 inches
(235 x 155 mm), [Washington D.C.], pale green White House
stationery; no date [circa late June 1963]. Evelyn Lincoln
notes in her accompanying letters and notes, "During President
John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland, June 26-29, 1963, who stayed at
the American Ambassador's resident while there, gave a luncheon in
honor of President deValera of Ireland and Prime Minister LeMass of
Ireland. Some Irish girls were going to sing a medley of Irish
songs during the luncheon. In his room, prior to going down to the
luncheon he [Kennedy] wrote this verse to the tune of "The Wearin'
O' the Green"... he wanted them to sing this verse and this song,
and they did." The new verse does not exist in the version of
the song known to be on one of Kennedy's records, so Mrs. Lincoln
notes they were likely recalled from memory from another version of
the song."When law can stop the / blades of grass / from greening as they grow / and when the leaves in summer time / their color dare not show / then I will change the color / too I wear in my caubeen / But till that day - please / God I'll stick / to wearing of the green."
Interestingly, the original song was written by James Napper Tandy, a noted Irish revolutionary, and features a decidedly anti-British theme. The request of this specific song by the President of the United States, featuring a custom-requested verse, had the potential to cause something of a media scandal.
[Together with:] A Letter of Authenticity, Signed by Evelyn Lincoln, and Transcription. Three leaves (rectos only) on White House stationery, 9.25 x 6.25 inches (234 x 159 mm), letter dated January 23, 1991. Mrs. Lincoln's provenance includes a letter of authenticity, the first verse of the song, and a transcription of Kennedy's verse, with a note on the difference from the White House record version. A later owner has added an additional note on a separate index card explaining that Mrs. Lincoln has mis-transcribed the word "esteem" in Kennedy's verse; the word should be "caubeen", a word for a well-worn hat.
Condition: A few light marginal creases.
Auction Info
2022 December 1 Historical Platinum Session Signature® Auction #6267 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2022
1st
Thursday
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