The young Jack Kennedy honors a fallen airman in 1939, two weeks after Hitler invades Poland

37. John F. Kennedy Typed Letter Signed on WWII Airman

Memorial. TLS signed “Jack Kennedy,” one page, 8 x 10.5, blindstamped American Embassy letterhead, September 19, 1939. Letter to Charles R. Nasmith, American Consul at Edinburgh, pertaining to a wreath sent for the memorial of Peter George Alexander St. Clair-Erskine, who had been killed while in active service with the Royal Air Force on September 8, 1939, one week after German forces invaded Poland, an event that triggered the start of World War II. In full: “I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of September 18. I am enclosing a check for 25/- in payment for the flowers sent to Rosslyn Chapel. Again I wish to thank you for your kind co-operation in this matter.” The deceased airman was the brother of John F. Kennedy’s friend Anthony St Clair-Erskine, 6th Earl of Rosslyn. In very good to fine condition, with light creasing, and staple holes and a small stain to the upper left corner.

Accompanied by a TLS by Edward E. Moore, private secretary to JFK’s father, enclosing a check from the ambassador as a reimbursement for the flowers; a carbon copy of a letter from Nasmith to Moore, returning the check as JFK had already paid for them; and a carbon copy of a letter from Nasmith to Margaret Whyte, thanking her for delivering the flowers. Unique, early, and poignant correspondence from a young JFK. Starting Bid $300