John F. Kennedy's Handwritten Notes on Africa as Senator

Handwritten pencil notes on United States Senate Memorandum stationary, one page, 7 15/16 x 5 3/16 in., circa late 1950s, unsigned; with the boxes around words, cross-outs, and lines typical of his notes; while not always easy to read, the following are some of the legible and often repeated words: "Nkrumah," "Kenya," "Sudan," "Colonialism," and "Democracy"; well-presented next to a black and white photo of Kennedy and in a wooden frame. With a typed transcript of the notes (source unknown) and certificate of authenticity displayed on verso.

Frame dimensions 20 1/4 x 25 7/8 in.

John F. Kennedy served as U.S. Senator from 1953 until 1960 when he ran for president, defeated Richard Nixon, and became the 35th President of the United States. Kennedy's notes refer to the many changes in Africa during his time as a senator, when many African countries were gaining or fighting for their independence. Kenya fought against colonial rule throughout most of the 1950s and ultimately declared its independence in 1953. The Republic of Sudan was established in 1956 when it gained independence from the United Kingdom and Egypt. Kennedy's notes also reference Kwame Nkrumah, who served as Ghana's first prime minister in the late 1950s, and then as the president of the country from 1960-1966.

Page of notes with subtle edge toning, a central horizontal fold line, a couple of creases, and two very minor stains; the leaf also appears very slightly trimmed with writing in a different hand cut off at the bottom edge; faint writing at the center of the notes reads "Mr. Harrington"; a very good example. Some wear to green mat surround with some light grime and possible signs of moisture below the glass; soiling to verso appears mostly on protective plastic sheets. Minor wear to frame, not examined outside the frame.