Product Description
THIS HANDBILL CIRCULAR--HAS BEEN SIGNED BY JOHN F. KENNEDY WITH A FOUNTAIN PEN IN BLACK. TO A SMARTLY MOUNTED SIGNATURE SLIP ON THE FRONT. THE SIGNATURE SLIP MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 1" X 2". This item is 6" X 9" Handbill Circular advertising John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration held 19 May 1962 at Madison Square Garden. Attendees at ''New York's Birthday Salute To President Kennedy'' were treated to Marilyn Monroe's serenading Kennedy with a breathy version of ''Happy Birthday''. Program credits those involved with the celebration, including Monroe and Jack Benny, Ella Fitzgerald, Henry Fonda and Peter Lawford. The handbill also features a photo of President John F. Kennedy. The handbill has a section at the bottom where one could purchase tickets for the event. Tickets were $10-$25 and $100 each. each. The handbill was sponsored by The State and National Democratic Committees and Citizens for Kennedy. President Kennedy's birthday celebration was held at the third Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962, and more than 15,000 people attended, including numerous celebrities. The event was a fundraising gala for the Democratic Party. Monroe's dress was made of a sheer and flesh-colored marquisette fabric, with 2,500 shimmering rhinestones sewn into it. The dress was so tight-fitting that Monroe had difficulty putting it on; she wore nothing under it. It was designed by Jean Louis. Peter Lawford was at the event that night to introduce Monroe. He made a play on the actress's reputation for tardiness by giving her a number of introductions throughout the night, after which she did not appear on stage. When Monroe finally appeared in a spotlight, Lawford introduced her as the "late Marilyn Monroe". Monroe peeled off her white ermine fur coat, revealing the dress, and the audience gasped. The event was staged and produced by Broadway composer and lyricist Richard Adler. It was choreographed by Carol Haney of The Pajama Game fame. Monroe's iconic dress was made by designer Jean Louis and originally cost $1,440.33 (equivalent to $9,342 in 2018). The dress sold in 1999 at an auction in New York City for over $1.26 million (equivalent to $1.82 million in 2018).Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison subsequently purchased the dress on November 17, 2016, at a Los Angeles auction for $4.8 million. THIS HANDBILL CIRCULAR--HAS BEEN SIGNED BY JOHN F. KENNEDY WITH A FOUNTAIN PEN IN BLACK. TO A SMARTLY MOUNTED SIGNATURE SLIP ON THE FRONT. THE SIGNATURE SLIP MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 1" X 2". BOTH HANDBILL CIRCULAR AND AUTOGRAPH ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION.Product Videos
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Headline John F. Kennedy President 1962 Handbill Circular Signed Autograph Madison Square Garden Birthday Salute
