John F. Kennedy: Signed Photo with Humorous Inscription to Barry Goldwater. 8" x 10" photograph. Among his many purs...
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Description
One of the Very Best and Most Delightful JFK Signed Photographs!
John F. Kennedy: Signed Photo with Humorous Inscription to Barry
Goldwater. 8" x 10" photograph. Among his many pursuits outside
politics, Arizona Senator and 1964 Republican presidential nominee
Barry Goldwater cultivated a serious passion for photography.
Offered here is an original black-and-white print taken by
Goldwater himself, apparently unpublished. Along the lower margin
appears a bold and playful inscription from President John F.
Kennedy:"For Barry Goldwater – Whom I urge to follow the career for which he has shown such talent – photography! – from his friend – John Kennedy."
The inscription captures the lighthearted rapport between two Senate colleagues whose friendship often masked an intense political rivalry. By the early 1960s, many expected that Kennedy and Goldwater would ultimately square off in the 1964 presidential contest.
Kennedy's quip took on a life of its own, later retold by humorist Bennett Cerf and cited by Goldwater in his memoir People and Places (1967). Goldwater recounted how he had brought his camera to the White House on one occasion, photographing several fellow congressmen before asking Kennedy for a candid portrait. The future president not only obliged but added the wry inscription, which Goldwater delighted in sharing with friends for decades afterward.
Goldwater kept the photograph prominently displayed in his study for the rest of his life, and it descended through his estate. Beyond its sharp wit, the piece stands as a remarkable artifact of mid-20th century American politics: two towering figures captured in a moment of good-natured banter. In beautiful near-mint condition, it would be difficult to imagine a more compelling Kennedy-signed photograph.
Condition: Margins trimmed top and bottom, with tape residue on verso, but otherwise in beautiful condition!
Auction Info
2025 October 24 - 25 Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6324 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
September
29th
Monday
Auction Dates
October
24th-25th
Friday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
2 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 98
Auction Type
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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