Landmark Books in All Fields
ItemID: #114103
Cost: $23,500.00

Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents

Jacqueline Kennedy

“THE PRESIDENT WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS FOR CHRISTMAS”: PRESENTATION/ASSOCIATION LIMITED FIRST EDITION OF INAUGURAL ADDRESSES, ONE ONLY 85 COPIES, AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE COPY INSCRIBED ONE MONTH AFTER JFK’S ASSASSINATION BY JACQUELINE KENNEDY TO ONE OF JFK'S MOST DEDICATED SENIOR AIDES, MYER FELDMAN

(KENNEDY, Jacqueline) KENNEDY, John F., et al. Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States. From George Washington 1789 to John F. Kennedy 1961. 87th Congress, 1st Session. House Document No. 218. Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 1961. Octavo, original full maroon calf gilt, gilt-stamped seal to front board, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, original marbled cardboard slipcase. $23,500.

Limited first edition, one of only 85 copies, in a special presentation binding intended for President Kennedy, of a collection of Inaugural Addresses from Washington to JFK, authorized by Congress, an exceptional presentation/association copy inscribed in the month after JFK’s assassination by Jacqueline Kennedy to Myer Feldman, a senior aide to JFK known for his invaluable work on the 1960 election and, later, on a broad range of portfolios including the Middle East: “For Myer Feldman—The President was going to give you this for Christmas. Please accept it now from me—With deep appreciation, Jacqueline Kennedy, December 1963.”

This exceptional presentation/association copy of Inaugural Addresses, one of a limited edition of only 85 copies, is inscribed by Jacqueline Kennedy in the month following Kennedy's assassination to Myer Feldman. Introduced to JFK by Kennedy's long-serving aide, Ted Sorensen, "Feldman joined Kennedy's staff as Legislative Assistant in 1958. During the 1960 presidential campaign, Feldman was Director of Research and Program Activities for the Kennedy-Johnson team [where he compiled the 'Nixopedia,' essentially an opposition research dossier on Nixon]. After the election, President Kennedy appointed Feldman to the post of Deputy Special Counsel. He served directly under Sorensen, who was Special Counsel to the President. Feldman's duties spanned a wide range of programs, issues, and legislative proposals. His areas of expertise included agriculture, foreign trade and tariffs, transportation, international airline routes, health, and immigration. Most significantly, he was President Kennedy's main advisor on Israel, the Middle East, and Jewish issues. In addition, Feldman helped brief the President for press conferences and also aided the speechwriting staff. He served as the White House liaison to the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Foundation, and worked on mental retardation programs with the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. After President Kennedy's death, President Johnson retained Feldman and promoted him to Counsel in April 1964. During Johnson's presidential campaign in 1964, Feldman led the effort to compile information on opponent Barry M. Goldwater. Feldman remained at the White House through February 1965, making him one of the longest serving members from President Kennedy's original staff" (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library). The New York Post once called Feldman "the White House's anonymous man," alluding to his frequent low-profile meetings with world leaders and his knack for quietly accomplishing whatever the White House deemed necessary. Tiny "M.F." [Myer Feldman] monogram on front board. Jacqueline Kennedy's moving inscription speaks to her resolve in honoring the memory of JFK and his wishes, and her appreciation for Myer Feldman's strong loyalty to her husband.

Slight rubbing to slipcase, book with only sunning to spine. A most exceptional copy, rare and desirable with such an outstanding association.

Main Office & Gallery: 1608 Walnut Street, 19th Floor .::. Philadelphia, PA 19103 .::. 215-546-6466 .::. fax 215-546-9064
web: www.baumanrarebooks.com .::. email: [email protected]