John F. Kennedy Early Autograph Letter Signed...

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On November 22nd, as a senior at Choate, 17-year-old John F. Kennedy, reports on his "new boy"

John F. Kennedy Early Autograph Letter Signed "Faithfully Yours,/Jack Kennedy," 2.5 conjoined pages, 5" x 6.5", front and verso. [Choate, Wallingford, Connecticut], November 22, 1934. To "Mr. St. John" (Choate Headmaster George C. St. John or Assistant Headmaster Clarence W. St. John). In full, "My new boy, Eugene Arrendell, is one of the nicest boys, in my and others opinion, in Choate. He played a very fine game of foot-ball this year, and has remained as unconceited as he was when he first came. His studies have been quite low, but every marking period there has been an improvement in each subject. As an example of this, one of his subjects came up from a 56 to a B-. He works very hard, and gets along with his room ate [sic] as well as he does with everyone that he comes in contact with. His attitude towards Choate, when he just came, was one of bewilderment, but now it is one of ardent loyalty. He is a credit to Choate, Mr. St. John." Plastic tape stains on one page touch the top of two words, else in fine condition.

At Choate, traditionally each senior was assigned a freshman "new boy" to help adjust to the school. The normal expectation is that the senior will provide guidance during the first semester, which usually ends a short time after the first few weeks of orientation. That Kennedy took it upon himself to follow the progress of his charge as evidenced by this letter, is far beyond the expectations placed by the school. It was of such note that the school administration mailed Kennedy's letter to young Eugene's family as part of his first year's progress report. This lot was obtained directly from Mr. Arrendell, Kennedy's then "new boy". The earliest ALS of John F. Kennedy ever to appear at a major public auction!