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Sale 68: New York 2016

Table of Contents

1927-1979 Issues

Lot 322

1964, 5¢ J. F. Kennedy Memorial Issue - Designer Raymond Loewy Portfolio, a remarkable assembly that chronicles the development of the Kennedy Memorial Issue through to the issuance; includes the initial essays from accepted submitted designs on nine 8½x11'' cards, each bearing an essay in three to four different color schemes (28 essays in all), each card with various notations regarding design, a company corner card and signed "Raymond Loewy, Feb. 64", the original set of 16 essay designs (14 of which where in three to six different colors; 65 separate essays in all) that where submitted to Mrs. Kennedy for approval, with each design on a 215x215mm card bearing a letter (labeled A through P), corner card of Raymond Loewy/William Snaith, signed "Raymond Loewy, Feb. March 64" and thumb print of Mr. Loewy, card "B" (the accepted design) with notes reading in part…According to phone call from LeMoyne Billings, this design was chosen by Mrs. Kennedy, We are to proof it in other colors; she suggested grey and JFK liked blue beat of all colors. When I designed The extension of his aircraft, "AIR FORCE ONE" he asked me to replace the standard red markings for "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and especially the red trim by blue as well as other design notes, the original set of trial color essays requested by Mrs. Kennedy of the selected design, similarly mounted on cards (labeled 1 through 6) bearing 21 different essays in various colors (mostly in shaded of blue and gray), each card signed "Raymond Loewy, March 64" and red thumb print on reverse, card "5" with Loewy notation…Staff: This is Jackie's choice. let's try darker shades. Show me first proofs. RL and additional color notations, the final folio housed in large 25x16'' album entitled KENNEDY MEMORIAL STAMP 1964, with historical items including the original photo of Kennedy the stamp portrait was based on, sheets of the issue with Boston first day cancels (May 29, 1964, JFK's birthday), one signed in selvage by Loewy, signed letter and cover from Jacqueline Kennedy to Loewy for the return of signed FDC's by Mrs. Kennedy, accompanied by both signed FDC's which are additionally signed by Loewy, two similar FDC's signed by Robert Kennedy, another two signed by Edward Kennedy with signed letter on U.S. Senate letterhead, signed letter and FDC from Rose Kennedy, original letters of appreciation from Postmaster General John A. Gronouski and Special Assistant to the Postmaster General Ira Kapenstein, original letters of appreciation from French diplomats including Presidential Secretary, Le Grand Chancelier De La Legion D'Honneur, Premier Ministre Anne-Marie Dupuy, Ministre D'Etat Affaires Culturelles, and six others, covers and letters from the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. including one from Capt Thos. E. Bass III, letter from Secretary to Mrs. Kennedy Nancy Tuckerman, a host of original news articles regarding the production and stamp issuance, additional free frank cover from Mrs. Kennedy to Loewy in France, original photographs of the stamp design team and a host of additional FDC's and ephemera relating to the issue including photocopies of the process the Raymond Loewy/William Snaith team in producing one of the most significant stamp designs in history; letters and covers in the final folio album pasted down with some gum staining to be expected, Very Fine.
Scott No. 1246    Estimate $150,000 - 200,000.

A REMARKABLE ESSAY PORTFOLIO CHRONICLING THE DESIGN OF THE 1964 5¢ J. F. KENNEDY MEMORIAL ISSUE.

This amazing portfolio is truly one-of-a-kind as it was noted by the designers Raymond Loewy/William Snaith that…"It is planned to present the elaborate portfolios and sketches of the most carefully planned stamp in national history to the John F. Kennedy Library at Harvard University.". This may the only production material that has not been placed in an institution.

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